SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose State right-handed pitcher Fineas Del Bonta-Smith has been named the Mountain West Pitcher of the Week following his outstanding showing in the series sweep over UNLV. This is the second-straight week that a Spartan pitcher has won the award.
Del Bonta-Smith, a senior from Soquel, California, appeared in all three games of the UNLV series, winning the first game to improve to 2-1 on the season and picking up back-to-back saves in games two and three.
"I'm excited for Finn," head coach Brad Sanfilippo said. "He did a great job for us this weekend and was a big reason for our success."
In game one of the series on Friday, Bonta-Smith took the mound in the ninth in relief for Andrew Mitchel. It took just nine pitches for the closer to get the job done and retire the Rebels in order for the win.
Game two came with a little more drama as Bonta-Smith entered the game in the ninth with a 6-4 lead looking for the save. His first pitch was belted to deep left-center for a solo home run that tightened the game to a one-run lead. Bonta-Smith responded well and struck out his last two batters faced to pick up his fourth save of the season and clinch the series.
Bonta-Smith then closed the door on the Rebels for good in the series finale, working around a one-out single to induce a 6-4-3 double play that gave the Spartans the series sweep.
The second-year transfer from Delta College is now 2-1 on the season in 10 appearances with 10 strikeouts and five saves, second-most in the conference.
Bonta-Smith is the second Spartan in as many weeks to win MW Pitcher of the Week. Andrew Mitchel won for the week of March 11 after a remarkable 18-strikeout performance in the win over Air Force.
The Spartans return to the diamond Tuesday at Sacramento State. First pitch has been moved up to 5:00 p.m. PT due to expected inclement weather.
