By Marissa Scott — Managing Editor
Mozzarella sticks, a flatbread pizza, a cookies and cream pizookie and three glasses of water — a pre-game dinner ritual that has repeatedly proven successful for San Jose State’s ace Andrew Mitchel.
Because of a two-day delay in SJSU’s season, the senior ate at BJ’s three nights in a row to ensure he would be at the top of his game.
“I’ve had the same meal three times in a row. I’m tired of it,” Mitchel laughed.
Whether or not his ritual actually affects his pitching performance remains unknown, but seems to have paid dividends last season.
The Atwater, Calif. native dominated the Mountain West conference in his first season with a 6-2 record and a 3.72 earned run average with 101 strikeouts.
“When he’s on the mound, the rest of our guys can look out and say, ‘that’s one of the best pitchers in the conference,’” said head coach Brad Sanfilippo. “That gives you confidence. He is really important to the team.”
Mitchel was the first player to eclipse 100 strikeouts at San Jose State since 2004.
He also finished second in the conference behind then junior Edgar Gonzalez of Fresno State, who finished with 110 strikeouts and was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2018 MLB Draft.
Triple-digits punchouts is a feat that so few achieve, but one that Mitchel and his family were extremely proud of him for accomplishing.
“I knew he could do it, but who really expects that,” said Kevin Mitchel, Andrew’s father. “He started getting in the groove after the Air Force game. I knew then he could be really good.”
On March 30, Andrew started the game at Air Force and pitched seven innings of one-run baseball and struck out nine batters. That day, he improved to 3-0 and his strikeouts per game skyrocketed from there.
The left-hander recorded at least seven strikeouts in seven of his last nine games of the season. He finished at the top in the conference with 10.45 punchouts per contest.
“Getting 100 strikeouts was a big turning point,” Mitchel said. “It was a big confidence booster for myself and for my team. It was a great way to learn lessons and it was a great year.”
Although the senior had a great deal of success as the Spartans’ top starting pitcher last season, he started off as a middle reliever.
In his first four appearances for SJSU, Mitchel didn’t pitch over 1.2 innings and didn’t throw over 38 pitches.
That quickly changed for the left-hander.
“As a reliever, you’re not conditioned to go a long time and throw a lot of pitches,” he said.
“When they transitioned me into a starter, it was hard because I went from throwing 10-15 pitches to throwing 90-120. It takes a bigger toll on your arm and it takes a lot more preparation — you have to be mentally locked in.”
Mitchel seemed to have gotten the hang of being starting pitcher fairly easily and quickly.
Although the transition might have been difficult, his work ethic and intensity helped boost his game no matter what role he played.
“He’s always been real intense,” Kevin said. “I think that has really been the key to his success, just how hard he works.”
Mitchel was willing to adjust his game for the sake of the team, which is why he was able to transition into a successful starting pitcher.
The senior started the first game of the 2019 season for the Spartans and pick up where he left off. Mitchel struck out six batters over four shutout innings and snagged his first win of the season.
His parents could not have imagined the success their son has had in his time playing Division I baseball at San Jose State University.
Mitchel hopes to build upon his successful junior season and turn that into an even better final run with his teammates. Just like many college baseball players, Mitchel wants to be able to continue his baseball career but that isn’t his main focus for this season.
“If you shoot for personal success, it’s hard to get it,” Mitchel said. “Obviously I want to get drafted and I want to play pro ball, but my goal right now is just to win the conference and that is all I care about.”
Follow Marissa on Twitter @marissascotttt