LONG BEACH, Calif. – Alex Fernandes went a perfect 5-for-5 with two RBIs and a sacrifice fly while Kyle Calzadiaz tossed 5.0 hitless innings with five strikeouts and five walks to earn the win to lead the San José State baseball team (1-0, 0-0 MW) in a 8-0 victory over Long Beach State (0-1, 0-0 Big West) Friday night from Bohl Diamond at Blair Field.

The Spartans totaled 12 hits, drew nine walks and did not commit an error in a complete performance on both sides of the ball. 

EJ McGrew closed out the final four innings to secure the save, allowing just two hits and striking out three as the Spartans combined to hold the Dirtbags to two hits on the evening.

San José State struck first in the opening frame. Fernandes singled and later scored on an RBI single by Vincent Gamberdella to give the Spartans an early 1-0 lead. 

The Spartans added a run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Fernandes and extended the lead in the fifth when Jake McCoy launched a solo home run to left field for his first homer of the season.

San José State continued to build separation with single runs in the sixth and eighth innings and a two-run seventh highlighted by an RBI double from Anthony Scheppler and an RBI single from Fernandes. The Spartans capped the scoring in the ninth on Gamberdella’s second double of the night, finishing with three hits and three RBIs.

McCoy added two hits and an RBI, while Scheppler doubled and drove in a run. San José State’s pitching staff combined for eight strikeouts and allowed Long Beach State just two at-bats with runners in scoring position (0-for-4).

This game marked the first meeting between SJSU and LBSU since 2016 and the first Spartan win over the Dirtbags since 1996 when both teams were members of the Big West
This was the first time the Spartans shutout a team since defeating Air Force 2-0 on March 23, 2025
This also marked the first time the Spartans shutout an opponent in their season opening game since defeating Saint Joseph’s 1-0 on Feb. 20, 2009
The Spartans held Long Beach State without a hit through the first 6.2 innings
Fernandes is the first Spartan to go 5-for-5 in a game since Shane Timmons did it on April 10, 2018, against Santa Clara
This is the second time in Fernandes’ career he has recorded five hits in a game
Gamberdella’s three hits, three RBIs and two walks were all career-highs
McCoy’s home run was the 10th of his career
Trevor Wilson and Peyton Rowles both scored two runs in both of their first collegiate game
Calzadiaz’s win was the third of his career
McGrew’s save was the first of his career

UP NEXT: The Spartans will rematch Long Beach State tomorrow, Feb. 14 at 6:05 p.m for the second game of the three game series.

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