SAN JOSE, Calif. – Jesse Gutierrez allowed just a single run and three hits in 7.1 innings pitched and Alex Fernandes went 3-for-4 at bat to lead San José State baseball (9-4, 0-0 MW) in a 2-1 victory over Utah (10-3, 0-0 Big 12) from Excite Ballpark Friday afternoon in the first game of the three game series.
The game was a classic pitchers duel between Gutierrez and Nolan George against Utah’s Colter McAnelly who pitched all eight innings for the Utes. The Spartans struck first in the third inning when Fernandes hit a single to drive in Drew Giannini from second base. The Spartans took a 2-0 lead in the fourth when Zach Chamizo hit a sac-fly to bring Antonio Nanez home from third base. Utah would get a run back in the sixth, but the Spartans would keep the Utes off the board for the rest of the game, securing victory.
- This win marks the Spartans first win over Utah since March 5, 2018.
- This is the first Spartan win over an opponent in the Big 12 since defeating Texas 6-4 on May 12, 2023. It is also the first Spartan win over an opponent in a power four conference since defeating Cal 8-2 on May 12, 2024.
- The last time the Spartans won a game while scoring only two runs came on April 21, 2023, in a 2-1 win over Fresno State.
- Gutierrez received his third win of the season and also struck out three batters in the game.
- Gutierrez had a no-hitter through five innings.
- In his last three appearances, Gutierrez has pitched 26.1 innings, striking out 18 batters and giving up only four earned runs and three walks.
- With an ERA of 1.37 on the season, Gutierrez has the second best ERA in the Mountain West, behind only SJSU’s EJ McGrew who has an ERA of zero.
- George recorded his second save of the season, striking out three batters in 1.2 innings pitched.
- Fernandes now has six multi-hit games and three three-hit games on the season.
- Fernandes has reached base in all 13 games on the season.
- Fernandes came into the game leading the Mountain West with a batting average of .472 and OBP of .565.
- Fernandes also notched an RBI, giving him his eighth of the season.
- Chamizo tallied his team leading 12th RBI of the season.
- Giannini and Nanez each scored a run in the game.
- Giannini went 2-for-3 with a double, giving him his first multi-hit game and extra base hit of the season.
- Nanez hit a triple, the second triple of the season for the Spartans.
UP NEXT: The Spartans will play Utah for game two of the three game series on Saturday, March 8 at Excite Ballpark at 2:05 p.m.
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