March 30, 2018
San Jose, Calif. --- Andrew Mitchel (3-0) threw a career high nine strikeouts in the 3-1 win over Mountain West opponent Air Force (10-15, 4-7 MW) Friday, March 30 at Falcon Field in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Mitchel allowed just one run on three hits through 7.0 innings in game two against the Falcons. He faced 26 batters and threw a total of 94 pitches with 64 of those being strikes. This season, Mitchel is the San Jose State leader in strikeouts with 37 and holds an ERA of 4.46.
In Mitchel's last three games he holds a 2-0 record with a 1.47 ERA. He has 17 strikeouts to five walks, and opponents batting average against the junior is a team leading .164.
"Andrew pitched with a good tempo, and he was executing his pitches and locations," said interim head coach Brad Sanfilippo. "He was just really good. He had that look in his eyes where he was determined to get a win for the team today."
The San Jose State baseball team (10-15, 3-7 MW) struck first tacking on all three of their runs in the third inning to take the early lead.
Aaron Pleschner (1-for-4, R) got the offense started for the Spartans with a double to left center. In the series against Air Force, Pleschner is 5-for-8 (.625) with two doubles and two runs against the Falcons.
Pleschner scored when Brett Bautista (1-for-3, R, RBI, BB) singled through the left side, and advanced to second on the throw to go up 1-0.
Back-to-back doubles from Shane Timmons (1-for-4, R, RBI) and Chris Williams (1-for-4, RBI) scored two runs to make it 3-0.
"It was nice to score first," added Sanfilippo. "It was nice to put a big inning together. Although we didn't capitalize on those runs, it gave Andrew some comfort to pitch with a lead."
The lone Air Force run came in fifth on a sacrifice fly with one out from Jacob Booker (0-2, RBI).
Gathering his second save this year was Fineas Del Bonta-Smith. It was the first time in the series that the Spartans used a pitcher from their bullpen. Del Bonta-Smith threw 20 strikes on 30 pitches and saved the 3-1 victory for the Spartan's first conference road win of the season.