May 11, 2016
Spartans Host New Mexico This Weekend; Seniors Honored
San Jose, Calif. - The San José State Spartans host the New Mexico Lobos in the final series of the 2016 season and on Saturday will honor nine seniors who will be making their final appearance on SJSU Field.
San Jose State Spartans (25-24, 14-7 MW)
vs.
New Mexico Lobos (23-24, 8-12 MW)
May 12 - 12:00 p.m.; May 13 - 12:00 p.m.; May 14 - 12:00 p.m.
SJSU Field (500) - San Jose, Calif.
LIVE STATS: Game Tracker (www.sjsuspartans.com)
VIDEO: Spartan Digital/Mountain West Network
QUICK HITS
RUNS RECORD DEMOLISHED AT BOISE STATE
Putting up 44 runs in its three-game sweep at Boise State last weekend, the Spartans have, for the second time this season, rewritten the program's record for runs in a conference series. Two weeks ago, in it's series-sweep at Nevada, the Spartans scored 35 runs to break the previous mark of 28. Interestingly enough the previous record was set in 2010 at Nevada.
SAYONARA TO THE SENIORS
On Saturday seven active seniors, and two who have stepped away from the game to concentrate solely on their academic careers, will be honored in ceremonies beginning approximately 20 minutes following the game.
Then nine areJessie Hufstetler (Sr., INF, Atascadero, Calif.), Casey Lester (Sr., OF, Gilroy, Calif.), Jessica Madrid (Sr., OF, Santa Ana, Calif.), Alyssa Martinez (Sr., INF, Wasco, Calif.), Anissa Pinedo (Sr., INF, Chula Vista, Calif.), Taylor Purdy (Sr., INF, Barstow, Calif.), Erin Rodriguez (Sr., INF, Corona, Calif.),who have all competed this season, along with Brittany Akey (Sr., INF, Woodland, Calif.) and Berlyn Rippentrop (Sr., RHP, Sunnyvale, Calif.).
IF YOU CAN'T BE FIRST....
With one win in its final three games against New Mexico or a loss by Nevada at Utah State, the Spartans will wrap up second place in the 2016 Mountain West Conference standings.
In each of its first three seasons in the MW, the Spartans have improved their position in the final league standings. In its first season, San José State finished fourth in the league. Last season the team came in third and this year can finish in second place.
FAREWELL SJSU FIELD
Saturday's game will be the last game in the 19-year history of SJSU Field. The Spartans first full-time season playing in the facility was 1998 and the first game was a 6-1 loss to #25 Utah. San Jose State also hosted a two game series against this weekend's opponent, New Mexico. The team's split with SJSU taking game one, 9-1, before losing 7-6 in game two.
The field will be bulldozed under to make way for the Athletics Department's new golf facility. Plans for the future home of Spartan Softball are still in the works.
HUFSTETLER'S RECORD BOOK ASSAULT
Jessie Hufstetler (Sr., INF, Atascadero, Calif.) has staked her claim to being one of the best hitters in San José State history, ranking in the top-3 of 12 career offensive categories including the career-leader in eight.
Category Rank Total (Record)
Batting Average 1 .393
Slugging % 1 .655
On-Base % 1 .491
Doubles 1 56
Walks 1 91
Hit by Pitch 1 35
RBI 1 189
Total Bases 1 383
Home Runs 2 29 (35)
Runs 2 138 (164)
Sacrifice Flies 2 9 (10)
Hits 3 238 (266)
DOUBLE-DIGIT HITS LEAD TO GOOD THINGS
In 49 games this year SJSU has reached double-digit hits 25 times including 16-of-21 Mountain West games. When the Spartans bang out at least 10 hits in a game they are 20-5, including a 13-3 in conference play.
SINGLE-SEASON RECORDS FALL/WILL FALL
With the most high-powered offense in the Mountain West and one of the best in the nation, you knew record would records would fall this year. Entering the series against New Mexico, three records have already been smashed and four more will be set.
The 2016 Spartans have belted 55 home runs, easily passing the previous record of 38 (2010). The gaudy .538 slugging percentage destroyed last year's .482 number and with 40 batters hit this year's team easily passed the previous record of 30 (2010).
The team is poised to pass four record set last year. The Spartans currently at 353 runs are five from passing the previous mark of 357. With 92 doubles, the record of 94 could fall. SJSU is four RBI from setting a new record of 326 for the season and with its first base, will pass the current record of total bases with 736.
MARTINEZ CLIMBS INTO TOP-5 ON RBI LIST
Alyssa Martinez (Sr., INF, Wasco, Calif.) wasn't even on the program's list of its top-10 run producers list heading into this year, but with a 3-run home run in the Spartans 12-8 win at Nevada (4/24) she equaled Victoria Ruelas (92 RBI from 1995-97) for fifth place all-time. Martinez drove in seven more in the team's last two series and now holds the spot alone with 99 career-RBIs. She is poised to become just the fifth player in SJSU history to reach triple digits in RBI.
THIS TEAM CAN SWING THE SHILLELAGH
Once again, the Spartans boast the most potent offense in the Mountain West. San José State leads the league in team batting average (.334), slugging percentage (.538), runs (353), hits (456), RBI (322), doubles (92), on-base percentage (.415), total bases (735) and sacrifice flies (18).
In addition, they rank second in triples (11), home runs (55) and being hit by pitches (40).
THESE LADIES CAN SWING THE SHILLELAGH
San José State has nine players who have started at least 20 games this season and eight are batting at least .290. Jessica Madrid (Sr., OF, Santa Ana, Calif.) leads the team with a .416 average. Jessie Hufstetler (Sr., INF, Atascadero, Calif.) ranks second at .369. Taylor Purdy (Sr., INF, Barstow, Calif.) is the only Spartan to appear in and start every game this year and ranks third with a .367 average.
In total, SJSU has eight players who are hitting above .300 for the year.
In conference play that number goes up to 13. Madrid leads the team with a gaudy .507 average. Two other Spartans are at .400 or above: Hufstetler (.479), Casey Lester (Sr., OF, Gilroy, Calif.) (.400) and Daisy Conchas (So., C, San Bernardino, Calif.) (.667). Nine others are at or above .300.
SCOUTING THE LOBOS
New Mexico starts the week with an overall record of 23-24, 8-12 in conference play. The team dropped two-of-three last weekend at San Diego State and currently sits in sixth place in the Mountain West standings.
Mariah Rimmer leads New Mexico with a .398 batting average and 13 doubles. She has driven in 33 runs and is 10-for-12 in steal attempts. Chelsea Johnson leads the team with 11 home runs.
In the circle, Colette Robert has taken the ball a team-high 22 times and made 16 starts, which also leads the team. She is 8-8 with a 4.35 ERA in 112.2 innings of work.
Head coach Erica Beach, who brought a 112-147 record in six seasons in New Mexico into the 2016 season, leads the Lobos.
In the all-time series, the Lobos hold an 16-11 advantage. In games contested in San Jose, the Spartans trail 5-7 all-time.