By Haddy Barghouti – Spear Reporter | Junior infielder Rocco Caballero swings the bat during SJSU’s 4-3 win over UNLV. (Photo by Brenda Castillo – The Spear)
San Jose State baseball (23-25,10-14 MW) earned a win in the Mountain West playoff race, defeating UNLV (26-21, 11-13 MW) 4-3 on Sunday at Excite Ballpark in San Jose.
SJSU scored two runs in the seventh inning, giving them the edge in a 4-3 win.
The Spartans wasted no time, as junior right-handed pitcher Kyle Calzadiaz opened the game with two strikeouts in the top of the first inning.
“We felt great with him,” head coach Brad Sanfilippo said. “Obviously, there’s a line and we didn’t want to ask him to do much stuff.”
The offense wasted no time, as San Jose’s offense scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning on RBI singles by junior outfielder Jake McCoy and redshirt senior outfielder Jeriah Lewis.
Lewis led the team with four hits, the most hits he’s had in a game all season.
UNLV had an answer of its own after senior outfielder Dean Toigo scored the first home run of the game by either team.
The Rebels found the equalizer in the top of the sixth inning with a sacrifice fly, after which the Spartans made a pitching change, bringing in junior left-handed pitcher EJ McGrew to relieve Calzadiaz.
“That’s how our pitching staff is at our best when we go and pick each other up,” Calzadiaz said.
McGrew allowed just two hits in two innings pitched and recorded a strikeout.
“To give the ball to EJ and EJ keeps us there and everything’s led by our pitching and I thought we defended pretty well today,” Sanfilippo said.
SJSU’s offense found a rhythm as junior infielder Rocco Caballero hit the Spartans’ first home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, giving them their second lead.
“Just trying to get on base, wasn’t trying to do too much,” Caballero said. “I just really trust my teammates to do our job and I was just lucky enough to catch the ball in a good spot and put a good swing on it.”
Caballero had two hits and one run, playing a key role in the Spartans’ offensive game plan.
The Spartans’ offense added some insurance when McCoy hit an RBI double to extend their lead to two.
UNLV wasn’t going away, and the Spartans needed their pitching to close out the game without allowing any more runs after a wild pitch got away from junior catcher Jake Maroney, allowing a runner to advance and score.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Tyler Albanese closed the game after replacing McGrew as the closer in the top of the eighth inning.
“Pitching staff absolutely killed it today,” Caballero said. “Shout out Kyle Calzadiaz, he absolutely shoved it today in five innings and with a performance like that, it makes it a lot easier for the offense to go out and play our game.”
The match was no short of hits, as UNLV had 11 hits and the Spartans had 10.
Although the Spartans lost the series, they ultimately avoided a sweep and snapped the Rebels’ seven-game winning streak, their longest of the season.
“Obviously I’d like to be in a position to win the series, but we showed up and played,” Sanfilippo said. “We just continue to do that and we’ve got a chance to get to the tournament.”
The win keeps San José State’s playoff hopes alive, as every game counts down the stretch. The Spartans have two series remaining, beginning with a trip to Fresno this Friday to face Fresno State.
