By Matthew Meyer (@mattmeyersjsu) – Spear Reporter | Redshirt junior infielder Alan Ramirez on his way back to the dugout after crushing a three-run home run against Saint Mary’s (Photo by Max Garcia Ortiz (@maxgarci09) – Spear Photographer)
Prior to San Jose State baseball’s (4-6, 0-0 MWC) game against Saint Mary’s College (6-4, 0-0 WCC) on Friday, SJSU head coach Brad Sanfilippo had a message for redshirt junior infielder Alan Ramirez.
“You’re close,” Sanfilippo said. “I did tell him before the game, ‘Hey man, you’re close, it’s coming.’”
On Saturday, Sanfilippo started Ramirez at third base, a decision that would be key in the Spartans’ 8-0 win over the Gaels.
Ramirez took his shot, both metaphorically and literally, going 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs, a run and a stolen base.
His home run came in the third inning with teammates senior outfielder Alex Fernandes and senior outfielder and pitcher Jake McCoy on first and second base with two outs.
“It was his time,” Sanfilippo said. “I was really proud of how he answered the bell.”
Senior right-handed pitcher David Thomas started on the mound and put on an impressive performance, pitching a complete-game shutout.
Thomas struck out six batters over nine innings of work, allowing just four hits and a single walk, earning his first win decision of the season and lowering his ERA to 4.02.
“David Thomas really drove just our ability to throw up zeros against our team,” Sanfilippo said. “For him to pitch the way that he did against them this year, hats off to him.”
This was both Thomas’ first career complete game and his first career shutout.
Fernandes continued his red-hot start to the season, going 4-for-5 with two doubles and scoring two runs.
Along with Ramirez’ terrific home debut and Fernandes’ bat staying on fire, the Spartans had a great day at the plate, with seven different Spartans recording at least one hit.
Despite the win, Sanfilippo isn’t celebrating anything yet.
“Offensively, I’ve not been very happy with how we’ve performed,” Sanfilippo said. “It’s early in the year so you can’t overreact to things like that. It might take some time for our good players to get where they need to be, but we got to win more games.”
The Spartans’ record is now 4-6 with only six non-conference games remaining before they take on Mountain West opponent University of New Mexico next Friday at home.
“We’ve got to figure it out at this time of year,” Sanfilippo said. “You gotta have a short memory, you got to just kind of figure it out.”
The Spartans look to win their final game of the series against Saint Mary’s at 1:05 pm on Sunday at Excite Ballpark to split the series.
