April 29, 2018
San Jose, Calif. --- San Jose State's Kellen Strahm singled up the middle with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning for the walk-off game-winning hit to drive home pinch runner, Anders Davidson, for the 3-2 victory over New Mexico Sunday afternoon at Municipal Stadium.
"It was pretty nerve racking, but Coach Sanfilippo has the confidence in me to get it done," said sophomore center fielder Kellen Strahm.
Strahm went 3-for-5, R, RBI, and had a stolen bag Sunday against the Lobos. In the three-game series against New Mexico, Strahm executed on two game-winning RBI situations. The sophomore batted .385 against the Lobos and led the team with four RBI's.
The Spartans have won three consecutive series for the first time since 2009. The 2009 team that went 41-20 opened the season winning its first six series of three or more games.
The San Jose State University baseball team (19-22, 9-11 MW) swept New Mexico (15-27-1, 8-16 MW) in the three-game series. The Spartans have now won five in a row and are 9-3 in their last 12 games.
"It's fun for me to coach this team because of how guys support each other, and the energy they bring to the field," said interim head coach Brad Sanfilippo. "Walk-off wins are fun, because it says a lot about your team and the character of your team."
New Mexico broke the 1-1 tie in the top of the ninth when Justin Watari reached on a throwing error from David Campbell (3-for-4, RBI) with two outs to score Gouldsmith.
In the bottom of the ninth, Campbell led off with an infield single. Sawyer Pittman (0-for-0, R) then entered the game and pinch ran for Campbell. Pittman advanced to scoring position on a Johnny Mendoza (0-for-2) sac bunt.
Freshman, Connor Konishi (1-for-4, RBI), tied the game up in the bottom of the ninth when he singled to left field with one out and advanced to second on the throw to send Pittman to home for the 2-2 score.
Wesley Clawson (1-1) pitched the final two innings and struck out three batters to pick up the first win of his Spartan career.
Tevin Cadola (1-2) started the game and recorded a career-high seven innings and nine strikeouts. It was arguably his best pitching performance of the year. In the last 17.0 innings, Cadola is averaging less than a hit a game with 18 strikeouts to seven walks. This season he has only allowed three extra bases in 26.1 innings.
San José State will take their five-game win streak to Pacific Tuesday, May 1 at 6:00 p.m. at Klein Family Field.