SAN JOSE, Calif. – David Thomas earned the win after throwing seven innings with four runs allowed and a career-high 10 strikeouts to lead the San José State baseball team (13-16, 4-3 MW) in a 8-5 victory over Washington State (12-16, 5-5 MW) Thursday night from Excite Ballpark in the first game of a three game series.
San José State broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning when Brent Cota delivered an RBI single to bring home the game’s first run. After Washington State answered with a two-run fifth, the Spartans quickly answered thanks to a Jake McCoy solo home run to even the score.
The turning point came in the sixth inning. San José State plated four runs, highlighted by a two-run double from Peyton Rowles and an RBI single from McCoy. The rally gave the Spartans a 6–2 cushion and forced Washington State into its bullpen.
San José State continued to apply pressure in the seventh, adding two more runs on an Alex Fernandes two RBI single to extend the lead to 8–4.
On the mound, Thomas (3-3) earned the win. Kyle Calzadiaz closed the door in the ninth to secure the victory, earning his first save of the season.
Offensively, the Spartans tallied 10 hits, with McCoy leading the way with a home run and multiple RBIs. Rowles, Alan Ramirez, Cota and Rohne Klein each contributed extra-base hits as San José State went 5-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
Washington State made things interesting late, taking advantage of four SJSU walks and a wild pitch to get the bases loaded. However, the Cougars were only able to plate one run in the inning as San José State’s early cushion proved enough to hold on.
- This was Thomas’ sixth win of his career and he now leads the Spartans with 37 strikeouts on the season
- The last Spartan to strikeout 10 batters in a game was Win Scott who had 10 strikeouts against Air Force on March 23, 2025
- The Spartans struck out 13 total batters in the game
- McCoy went 3-for-5, his third game this season with three or more hits
- McCoy’s home run was his fifth of the season which leads the team
- Fernandes has reached base safely in all 29 games this season and is now on a nine game hitting streak
- This was Fernandes’ seventh game of the season with multiple RBIs
UP NEXT: The Spartans will host Washington State in the second game of a three game series tomorrow at 2:05 p.m. at Excite Ballpark. The game can be watched on NBC Sports Bay Area.
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