By Matthew Meyer (@mattmeyersjsu) – Spear Reporter | Senior right-handed pitcher sets himself before he delivers a pitch (Photo courtesy of SJSU Athletics)
San Jose State (10-13, 2-1 MWC) senior right-handed pitcher Kyle Calzadiaz was recognized by the Mountain West Conference as the Pitcher of the Week on Monday.
Calzadiaz’s performance against San Diego State earned him the honor, going five shutout innings in relief, allowing only two hits and three walks and striking out five Aztecs.
This is the second consecutive week that a Spartan held the title, with senior right-handed pitcher David Thomas receiving the award last week.
The last time the Spartans won consecutive Pitcher of the Week awards was in 2005.
In 25 innings pitched across seven appearances on the mound, Calzadiaz leads the Spartans with 29 strikeouts.
In their first game of the season against Long Beach State on Feb. 13, Calzadiaz took the mound and pitched five scoreless innings, striking out five batters and not giving up a single hit to the Dirtbags.
https://x.com/SanJoseStateBSB/status/2022502908030296517
“I was really really impressed with how he pitched,” SJSU head coach Brad Sanfilippo said after that game.
Calzadiaz’ best appearance came in his very next start on Feb. 20 against the University of San Francisco, where he pitched five innings allowing only a single run and hit and striking out eight batters, tying his career-high.
https://x.com/SanJoseStateBSB/status/2025005089228832811
Despite his effort, the Spartans would fall 8-7 in 13 innings that game.
Calzadiaz’s last three appearances have come from out of the bullpen, with his last start on March 6 against the University of Pittsburgh where he only recorded two outs and allowed eight runs.
On March 11, the College Baseball Foundation named Calzadiaz to the 2026 National Pitcher of the Year Award watch list, the award being one of the most prestigious in college baseball.
Calzadiaz currently holds batters to a .218 batting average, the lowest opponent average of any of the Spartans who’ve started at least one game.
He currently holds a 1-2 record with a 6.48 ERA for the season.
Calzadiaz’s ability to be an effective starter as well as a long-relief pitcher proves to be an important asset for Sanfilippo and the Spartans, who are about to enter a conference-heavy schedule for the next several weeks.
But before they can face off against their next conference opponent, the Spartans will take on Santa Clara University at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24 at Stephen Schott Stadium in Santa Clara, Cali.
