By Georgia Blair — Staff Writer
San Jose State (17-15, 11-4 MW) completed the three game sweep with a 5-1 win over the University of New Mexico (15-17, 6-9 MW) behind a stellar pitching performance from Jonathan Clark.
The freshman threw a complete game while giving up one run and just three hits on 110 pitches. Clark retired 21 batters in order without allowing a hit or a walk between the middle of the second and the middle of the ninth innings.
“To have a freshman come out and give us that performance on a Sunday is just huge,” head coach Brad Sanfilippo said. “After a tough week to come back and get three conference wins in a row is just great for the guys.”
The Lobos got on the scoreboard early in the top of the first with an RBI single but were kept quiet for the remainder of the game.
“I just wanted to do it for the guys,” Clark said. “When they put up runs and have my back I find it easier to go out there and pitch.”
The Spartans scored one in the fourth off the bat of junior Blake Berry. The designated hitter was able to lay down a successful bunt to bring senior Aaron Pleschner home.
“This is huge for us, we had a lot of energy and every guy has your back. It’s just a great weekend all around for us with hitting, pitching and defense,” Pleschner said. “I hit behind a guy that’s hitting .350. And in front of a guy that is hitting .450. So I just try to move them over and get on base so we can do damage and today it worked out well for us.”
A three-run fifth put some distance between the Spartans and the Lobos, with runs coming off the bats of Pleschner, Berry and sophomore right fielder Connor Konishi.
Pleschner was responsible for three of SJSU’s seven hits.
“We can’t look too far ahead but conference games are obviously going to be our focus,” Sanfilippo said.
Looking ahead in MW play, the Spartans will take a trip to Vegas next weekend to face UNLV.
SJSU is lined up to play for the fourth day in a row at Excite Ballpark against Portland University in a non-conference matchup on Monday at 2 p.m.
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