May 5, 2018
Las Vegas, Nev. --- Andrew Mitchel (6-0) pitched five straight shutout innings to lead the Spartans to an 8-5 victory over UNLV who were ranked number four in the nation in team batting average at .312. Mitchel notched seven strikeouts and allowed one earned run on four hits in seven innings.
The junior's six wins are the most by a Spartan pitcher since 2012, and his 79 strikeouts are the most since 2011. "I am just trying to throw strikes and let the defense do their thing," said Mitchel. "We have a really good defense, and I am just trying to pitch to contact and let them do their work."
The San Jose State baseball team (20-24, 10-12 MW) got off to a quick 5-0 start on the road against UNLV (30-18, 11-12 MW) Saturday in game two at Earl Wilson Stadium.
The Spartans have earned 20 wins for the first time since Sam Piraro's 2012 season. "I just feel good for our guys," said interim coach Brad Sanfilippo. "Coach Piraro is a legend at San Jose State. Being a coach here means you are chasing a lot of records that he set."
Four different Spartans recorded a three-hit game in the contest. Kellen Strahm (3-for-5, R), Brett Bautista (3-for-5, R), Kyle Morrison (3-for-5, 2R, RBI), and David Campbell (3-for-5, 2R, RBI) combined for 12 of the Spartans 15 hits.
The Rebels started tacking on runs starting with one in the sixth. They scored in each of their last four innings to notch five runs on the Spartans.
The San Jose State baseball team looks to take the series in Sunday's rubber match at 1:05 p.m. inside Earl Wilson Stadium.