By Ernie Gonzalez (@superego1012):
Josh Goldberg’s first career complete game in a 4-1 win over conference rival Fresno State has San Jose State baseball back on track.
Goldberg lowered his season ERA from 7.47 to 3.48 as he and the Spartan (7-9, 1-5 MW) defense shut down the Bulldogs (11-7, 2-5 MW) from start to finish, doing it on 103 pitches and with five strikeouts, all in critical moments.
“He was awesome,” said interim head coach Brad Sanfilippo after the win. “To have a senior go out there and put the rest of the team on his back … that was absolutely what we needed today.”
The complete-game win feels great for Goldberg as he hasn’t had much success against the Bulldogs in the past.
“Fresno doesn’t rub me the right way,” Goldberg said. “Freshman year I gave up back-to-back home runs, so I’ve always had a little chip on my shoulder for them. I’m glad I got to do that today.”
On offense, another senior, right fielder Chris Williams carried the load as well as he was credited with three of the four Spartan RBIs.
In the third, with the Spartans up a run, Williams chopped a slow hit between the 3-4 hole with the bases loaded, slow just enough to bring sophomore Kellen Strahm home from second, giving SJSU an early 3-0 advantage.
Then in the seventh, it was the senior’s turn again at the plate. He hit a ball perfectly for an RBI, forcing the left fielder to watch it fall right in front of him, scoring senior Brett Bautista from third base, making it 4-0.
The right fielder contributed on defense as well, supporting fellow senior Goldberg all the way to the ninth.
In the top of the seventh, Williams made the play of the game as a ball was hit to right field drifting out of play.
The team leader in doubles with six rushed over, passing the foul line slid against the 4-foot fence foot-first, making the grab for the second out of the inning. With confidence, Goldberg struck out the next hitter to end the top of the seventh.
Fresno State’s lone run came in the eighth inning when junior Zach Ashford, who leads the Mountain West with a .455 batting average hit an RBI single, scoring sophomore Austin White.
The series continues and finishes Sunday afternoon with a doubleheader.
