By Georgia Blair — Staff Writer
San Jose State (15-15, 9-4 MW) got its third-straight conference win by taking Game 1 against the University of New Mexico (15-15, 6-7 MW) 4-2 in a tightly contested Friday night matchup.
Senior Andrew Mitchel was the star once again for the Spartans tossing seven innings allowing only two runs and striking out 11 Lobos hitters.
“It’s good to get back to home sweet home after a tough non-conference week in the midwest,” said head coach Brad Sanfilippo. “Andrew Mitchel was Andrew Mitchel tonight and our offense put up some runs against a great Lobos pitcher to get us the win.”
After losing six-straight non-conference games the Spartans battled to get a Friday night win with their ace on the hill.
Junior Blake Berry doubled in senior Aaron Pleschner to get the scoring started in the bottom of the first inning.
The Spartan bats went quiet in the middle innings courtesy of Lobos starting pitcher Justin Slaten.
Slaten and Mitchel went toe-to-toe but the Spartans won the battle despite trailing early on.
UNM put up two runs on a single in the third but that would be it for the Lobos as they were held scoreless through the next six innings.
The Lobos offense was overpowered by an inform Mitchel. They were held to just three hits on the night.
“I knew I needed to throw first pitch strikes,” Mitchel said. “It took a few innings to settle in but after I figured it out I felt really comfortable out there.”
Freshman second base Nico Malbrough provided a clutch single that flared into center field to score junior third base Troy Viola in the bottom of the seventh to tie up the game.
After executing a hit-an-run and reaching base on a Lobos error, freshman Brandon Peterson made his way around the bases and eventually scored on a wild pitch to give the Spartans a one-run lead.
“I got a dirty slider but I had a hit and run so I just put bat on ball and put my head down and ran,” Peterson said. “This is a huge game and a huge win, Mitchel came out here and shoved like always and we managed to walk away with the win.”
After taking the lead in the seventh, Fineas Del Bonta Smith was called out of the pen to take over.
In the top of the ninth junior Kellen Strahm crushed a solo home run to left center to extend the Spartan lead. Strahm leads the team with four bombs.
Bonta Smith walked away with his eighth save of the season after two innings striking out three.
“If we are ahead and I give the ball to (Bonta Smith) it’s pretty much game over,” Mitchel said. “Having a guy like that in the bullpen is huge for the confidence of our team.”
Senior Tevin Cadola will be handed the ball in Game 2.
The Spartans will look to capitalize on momentum and take the series from the Lobos in Game 2 which is set for a 2 p.m. start at Excite Ballpark (formerly Municipal Stadium) on Saturday.
Follow Georgia on Twitter @georgia_r_blair