SAN JOSE, Calif. - In a Tuesday night thriller at Excite Ballpark, Peyton Rowles and Alex Fernandes led San José State (5-11, 0-0 Mountain West), securing a gritty 3-2 walk-off victory over California (13-4, 0-0 ACC).
The Spartans' victory was momentous, as it snapped Cal’s 11-game winning streak and marked the third consecutive win for SJSU over the Golden Bears dating back to previous seasons.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Spartans loaded the bases through a walk, a hit-by-pitch, and an intentional walk. With two outs and the pressure at its peak, Rowles delivered the heroics, lining an RBI single to right field to score Emmitt Phinney and secure the 3-2 victory.
Key Moments & Scoring
- The Spartans drew first blood in the opening frame when Fernandes launched a solo home run to center field, giving SJSU an immediate 1-0 lead.
- California fought back to take the lead with single runs in the fourth and seventh innings.
- Down 2-1 in the late stages, the Spartans refused to fold. In the bottom of the eighth, Rowles singled and was driven home by a clutch Alan Ramirez double down the left-field line to tie the game.
- The Spartan bullpen was instrumental in keeping the game within reach. Caden Duke earned the win (1-0), tossing 2.2 scoreless innings and allowing only two hits to stifle the Cal offense in the final frames.
- Fernandes went 1-for-3, leading the team with a .458 avg., .695 slugging pct., two home runs, and 12 RBIs.
- Rowles went 3-for-5, and his 11 runs scored this season and his 20 hits are second-most on the team, plus he has seven RBIs. His three hits tie a single-game career-high.
- Ramirez has four doubles and six RBIs on the season. He is second on the team with a .375 avg. and .667 slugging pct.
UP NEXT: The Spartans head to conference play, hosting New Mexico for three games starting on Friday at 6:05 p.m. on the Mountain West Network.
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