By Alex Diaz – (@DiazOnSports) Spear Reporter | SJSU Senior outfielder Alex Fernandes shares a mid-game exchange with senior catcher Vincent Gamberdella. (Photo by Matt Meyer–Spear Photographer)
A six-run second inning set the tone early as San Jose State baseball (14-20, 5-6 MW) powered past the University of Nevada, Reno (18-13, 4-7 MW) 12-6, on Saturday afternoon at Don Weir Field at Peccole Park.
SJSU’s offense came alive in the second inning, stringing together hits throughout the lineup to build an early cushion.
RBI singles from redshirt senior catcher Matteo Mendoza, freshman infielder Peyton Rowles, and redshirt junior infielder JC Osorio-Agard highlighted the rally.
At the same time, a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch and continued two-out production helped the Spartans plate six runs in the frame.
The early surge gave SJSU full control, and the momentum only grew from there.
In the fifth inning, senior outfielder Jake McCoy delivered the biggest swing of the day, launching a three-run home run to extend the Spartans’ lead to 9-0.
The home run marked McCoy’s team-leading eighth of the season and continued a strong stretch at the plate.
On the mound, senior left-handed pitcher Jesse Gutierrez made his first conference start of the season, going 4 ⅓ innings and allowing three runs on six hits.
Junior left-handed pitcher Landon Marchetti earned the win in relief, striking out three over two innings, while senior right-handed pitcher Kyle Calzadiaz closed out the game with four strikeouts across the final 2 ⅔ innings.
Nevada responded in the middle innings, scoring three runs in the fifth and adding runs in both the sixth and seventh to cut the deficit to five.
However, the Spartans answered late, including a two-run eighth inning highlighted by an RBI single from redshirt junior infielder Alan Ramirez to help put the game out of reach.
The Spartans finished with 12 runs on 15 hits, with production coming from throughout the lineup. Every SJSU player who recorded an at-bat also tallied a hit.
Osorio-Agard led the way, going 3 for 5 with two RBIs, while Mendoza added three hits in a breakout performance.
Senior outfielder Alex Fernandes reached base in all five of his plate appearances, finishing 2 for 2 with three walks, a hit-by-pitch, and two RBIs.
McCoy added three RBIs, while Ramirez and Rowles each drove in two runs.
Despite Nevada recording 14 hits, the Wolf Pack left 10 runners on base as the Spartans limited scoring opportunities down the stretch.
SJSU will look to carry the momentum into Sunday’s match, set for 12:05 p.m. at Peccole Park.
