San Jose, Calif. - Daniel Chavez earned his first major collegiate victory as the starting pitcher for San Jose State in a 3-1 victory over the California Golden Bears on Wednesday at Municipal Stadium.
Chavez allowed five hits, one earned run and no walks in 5.1 innings of work. The transfer from the College of San Mateo was lifted in favor of Drew Bradshaw in the sixth inning with a 2-1 lead. Bradshaw, along with Kyle Hassna and Kalei Contrades went on to hold the Golden Bears hitless in the final 3.2 innings of the game.
The win for San Jose State (6-15) snapped California's (13-8) eight-game winning streak.
"We pitched well against a good team today," said Spartans' head coach Dave Nakama. "The major thing was that we didn't walk anybody. That's what gave us a chance to win."
"it's kind of a monkey off my back to get that first win," Chavez said. "The important thing is that our team won today. Each good outing builds some confidence and I was glad to have a good one today."
Ricky Acosta and Michael Gerlach had the big hits in the third inning that gave San Jose State a 2-0 lead. Nick Schulz started things off with a single against California starter Jake Schulz and scored two batters later on Acosta's base knock to right field. Two batters later, Gerlach's two out RBI-double down the right field line scored Acosta and gave SJSU its second run.
The Golden Bears made it 2-1 in the top of the fourth when Devon Rodriguez hit a towering solo shot over the right-center field wall off Chavez. It was Rodriguez's third homer of the year and the only run of the day for Cal.
With a one-run lead, the Spartans found themselves in a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning. But Drew Bradshaw struck out Grant Diede on three pitches to end the threat.
Acosta notched another RBI in the seventh with a bases-loaded walk making the score 3-1.
Chavez improved his record to 1-1 while Schulz took the loss and goes to 0-2.
San Jose State will ride the win into the Western Athletic Conference opener on Friday night against Dallas Baptist. The first game in a set of three versus the Patriots starts at 6:00 p.m. Friday night.