SAN JOSE, Calif. – Fresh off a series sweep over crosstown rival Santa Clara, San José State baseball will play their first home game of 2019 on Tuesday as the welcome the University of Pacific Tigers to Municipal Stadium for a 5:30 p.m. contest.
Game 4
University of the Pacific (3-0) at San José State (3-0)
Tuesday, Feb. 19 at Municipal Stadium | 5:30 p.m.
QUICK LOOK AT THE TIGERS
The Pacific Tigers are off to their best start since 1994 after sweeping Chicago State to begin the season 3-0. Led by second-year head coach Ryan Garko, the Tigers' pitching staff had a great opening series as all three starters won their respective games. Day one starter LHP Ricky Reynoso struck out 10 in 6.0 innings, day two starter Ryan Shreve struck out eight in 8.0 innings and day three starter Tommy Costello struck out six in 5.0 innings.
Offensively, Nate Verlin batted .500 in the opening series (4-8) with a triple in three RBI while Kevin Sandri (.455) was 5-for-11 at the plate with a double, two triples and three runs scored.
STARTING 2019 OFF WITH A BANG
The Spartans have started the season 3-0 for the first time since winning six-straight to start the 2011 season. After a pair of rain delays, SJSU ended up playing the Broncos in all three games at Santa Clara. They started with sweeping Sunday's doubleheader 8-5 and 4-3 before going on an offensive tear in the third game, winning 20-10 on Monday. The Spartans outscored the Broncos 32-18 for the series.
HISTORIC NUMBERS
SJSU's 20 runs were the most scored since a 20-8 win over Brown on March 28, 2012.
SHIMMY'S DEBUT ONE TO REMEMBER
Freshman outfielder James Shimashita had a series to remember in his first collegiate action. The San Diego product finished with nine RBI for the series and finished 5-of-13 at the plate with a double and run scored. His nine RBI currently lead the Mountain West.
BATS ON FIRE
Shimashita was hardly the lone Spartan to carry a big stick against the Broncos. Connor Konishi finished the series 7-of-12 at the plate for a conference-best .583 BA. He scored six runs, had three RBI and two doubles.
Kellen Strahm and Blake Berry each batted 6-for-13. Strahm scored three runs and tallied three RBI with a double and stolen base. Berry scored six runs with two doubles and three RBI.
Konishi, Berry and Strahm are currently the top three leaders in runs scored in the MW.
Johnny Mendoza was 5-for-10 at the plate with a triple and four RBI, all coming in game three. He also drew a team-high five walks.
Junior college transfer Troy Viola started two games at third base and finished with three hits and three RBI.
MITCHEL RETURNS TO FORM
The 2018 Mountain West Co-Pitcher of the Year Andrew Mitchel had a solid outing in his 2019 debut. The lefty pitched 4.0 innings of scoreless ball, surrendering just two hits and three walks while striking out six.
NEWCOMER DEBUTS
A total of seven position players and two pitchers made the SJSU debuts in the opening series. Blake Berry (DH), James Shimashita (LF), Troy Viola (3B) and Nick Knecht (1B) started all three games while Nico Malbrough, Alex Davis drew one start each. Nik Trapani also made his collegiate debut off the bench.
Freshman pitcher Ben Polack made his first collegiate start in game three and was lifted after 1.0 inning for junior college transfer Mitchell Miller (3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO, 6.00 ERA).
SECOND YEAR FOR SANFILIPPO
Head coach Brad Sanfilippo had an outstanding first season at the helm of SJSU baseball as interim coach in 2018, leading the Spartans to a 27-30 overall record and a third-place finish in the Mountain West standings with a 16-14 record, their most conference wins since 2008. Sanfilippo was promoted to head coach following the season on June 12, 2018.