Series Preview
San Diego State at San José State
March 27-28
Excite Ballpark | San Jose, Calif.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Saturday, March 27 | 1 p.m. PT
SDSU: Michael Paredes, RHP (2-0, 2.20 ERA, 32.2 IP)
SJSU: Jonathan Clark, RHP (1-1, 2.25 ERA, 12.0 IP)*
Saturday, March 27 | 4:30 p.m. PT
SDSU: Troy Melton, RHP (3-1, 3.14 ERA, 28.2 IP)
SJSU: Spencer Long, RHP (0-2, 4.79 ERA, 20.2 IP)*
Sunday, March 28 | 1 p.m. PT
SDSU: Ricky Tibbett, RHP (0-0, 4.85 ERA, 13.0 IP)
SJSU: Keaton Chase, RHP (0-1, 8.53 ERA, 6.1 ERA)*^
* - 2020 stats; ^ - at Oregon
WHAT'S ON TAP FOR AZTEC BASEBALL
> San Diego State will make its first true road trip of the 2021 campaign this weekend when it heads to the Bay Area for a three-game series with San José State, March 27-28, at Excite Ballpark in San Jose.
> The Aztecs and Spartans will clash in a doubleheader on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. PT, before squaring off in a single game on Sunday with another 1 p.m. starting time.
> Links to live stats and streaming video via the Mountain West Network will be available for all three games on GoAztecs.com.
> This weekend's set will mark the first time the Scarlet and Black will compete beyond the San Diego County line in 2021. SDSU is 2-1 away from Tony Gwynn Stadium this season after dropping a 16-12 decision at USD's Fowler Park on Feb. 21. One week later, the Aztecs came back to sweep at doubleheader at UC San Diego's Triton Ballpark in La Jolla on Feb. 28.
> SJSU will be making its 2021 season debut this weekend after pausing all team-related activities on Feb. 15 due to COVID-19 protocols.
QUICK HITS
> San Diego State (11-5, 6-3 MW) claimed its fifth straight series victory last weekend after winning two of three games vs. Air Force at home. Behind a pair of solid pitching performances from Michael Paredes and Troy Melton, the Aztecs took both ends of a doubleheader against the Falcons on Saturday by scores of 9-2 and 5-1. However, the Scarlet and Black could not make it through the series unscathed, as Air Force emerged with a 13-9 triumph in Sunday's finale.
> With the results, SDSU remains tied for the lead in the Mountain West race with UNLV. Both the Aztecs and Rebels own 6-3 records (.667) in conference play.
> Following the Air Force series, catcher Wyatt Hendrie garnered MW Player of the Week accolades for the first time in his career .
> Entering the weekend, San Diego State leads the MW with a .326 batting average and 9.0 runs per game for all contests, which rank fourth and sixth in the nation, respectively. In addition, the Aztecs top the conference with 192 hits, which is best in the country for teams with under 16 games played and 23rd overall.
> Individually, Jaden Fein leads the nation with 2.12 hits per game and is tied for fifth with 34 hits overall while tying for the eighth spot with a .500 batting average, both of which are best in the country among competitors with 16 games played.
AZTEC WEEKEND ROTATION
> San Diego State's projected pitching rotation against San José State will feature Saturday mainstays Michael Paredes and Troy Melton, who have made consecutive starts in all five series this year, while redshirt freshman Ricky Tibbett is expected to get the call for Sunday's finale.
> Paredes (2-0, 2.20 ERA) is scheduled to pitch game one of Saturday's doubleheader after picking up his second straight win of the year vs. Air Force on March 20. Against the Falcons, the Aztec redshirt sophomore tied his career high with nine strikeouts, allowing two runs on five hits and just one walk in 7 2/3 innings. Paredes retired 15 of 16 batters between the second and seventh innings, yielding only an infield single during that stretch. He faced only three batters in four separate innings during his start, posting inning-ending strikeouts in three of his full frames pitched.
> Troy Melton (3-1, 3.14 ERA) is slated to start game two of the doubleheader against the Spartans after pocketing his third victory of the season in the nightcap vs. Air Force. In that contest, he gave up one run on five hits and one walk to go with eight strikeouts in seven innings. Last month, Melton earned MW Pitcher of the Week honors for the second time in his career on the strength of his complete-game shutout vs. Fresno State on Feb. 26. Against the Bulldogs, the SDSU right-hander equaled his career high with nine strikeouts against four hits and one walk in the Aztecs' big 17-0 victory. Prior to the 2021 campaign, Melton landed a spot on the preseason Golden Spikes Award Watch List.
> Meanwhile, Tibbett (0-0, 4.85 ERA) is expected to make his second career start on Sunday. The Aztec redshirt freshman has made six appearances so far this season, allowing seven runs on 18 hits with three walks and 11 strikeouts. Tibbett logged his first collegiate start vs. UNLV on March 14, yielding three runs on seven hits and one walk with two strikeouts in four innings. However, he did not figure in the decision, as the Aztecs overcame a 5-2 deficit with six runs in the seventh. Last season, Tibbett was the winning pitcher in the Aztecs' home victory over then-No. 17 Long Beach State on March 3, 2020, when he tossed three innings of relief, allowing two unearned runs.
SERIES RECORD VS. SAN JOSÉ STATE
> San Diego State holds a sizable 79-32 lead in the all-time series, which dates back to 1938.
> The Aztecs' 47-game advantage in head-to-head meetings vs. the Spartans ranks as third-largest spread against a single opponent in program history behind (Air Force 113-31) and UC Santa Barbara (84-29-1).
> SDSU is 43-13 against San José State in San Diego and 31-19 in Silicon Valley. In addition, the Aztecs have won all five meetings on a neutral field.
> During Mark Martinez's seven-year tenure as head coach on The Mesa, SDSU sports a 22-4 record vs. San Jose State, including an 11-2 mark at home, a 9-2 ledger on the road and a 2-0 record at a neutral park.
> The Aztecs swept a three-game series at Tony Gwynn Stadium the last time the two teams met in 2019, increasing their run production in each contest by scores of 7-6, 9-7 and 10-8.
> Among 2021 returners, Jaden Fein hit .455 against the Spartans that weekend, notching five hits, including three doubles, two RBIs and a pair of runs. In addition, Matt Rudick collected four hits and five walks in the series while leading the team with six runs scored.
> The Scarlet and Black captured the opener in 11 innings after former Aztec Angelo Armenta's two-run single with two outs plated Rudick and ex-SDSU All-American Casey Schmitt, who also picked up the victory on the mound.
> In addition, Schmitt preserved the game-two victory for current Aztec Jacob Flores, who was credited with the win despite giving up a hit and three walks in one scoreless inning of relief for starter Michael Paredes. SDSU overcame a 6-5 deficit with three runs in the bottom of the third to take the lead for good. Schmitt also wielded his bat with two hits and three RBIs, while Rudick and Fein finished with two hits as well.
> Aaron Eden earned the victory in the series finale despite giving up eight runs on nine hits and two walks in seven innings, as Schmitt came on to record his second straight save. Once again, the Aztecs rallied from an early deficit, erupting for seven runs in the fourth to erase a 3-0 SJSU advantage.
AZTECS AMONG NCAA STATISTICAL LEADERS
> After the first five weekends of the 2021 campaign, the Aztecs find themselves among the NCAA statistical leaders in several categories. As of March 25, San Diego State is fourth nationally with a .326 team batting average while occupying the sixth spot with a scoring average of 9.0 runs per game. In addition, the Scarlet and Black is tied for 23rd with 192 hits, which is tops in the country for schools that have played 16 games or less.
> Individually, Jaden Fein leads the nation with 2.12 hits per game and is tied for fifth with 34 hits while sharing the eighth spot with a .500 batting average, both of which are best in the country among competitors with 16 games played. Additionally, Brian Leonhardt is tied for third with four sacrifice flies, while Matt Rudick occupies the 14th position with 1.44 runs per game and is tied for 23rd with 23 runs scored, which ranks second among individuals with 16 games played or less.
SDSU IN MW RANKINGS
> Heading into the weekend, Jaden Fein still leads the Mountain West with a scintillating.500 batting average, 34 hits, 23 RBIs and seven doubles.
> Fein also sits near the top of the conference perch in on-base percentage (2nd - .533), slugging percentage (3rd - .644) and runs scored (t-4th - 18).
> In addition, Matt Rudick leads the MW with 23 runs scored and is tied for the top spot with teammate Mike Jarvis with seven stolen bases. The Aztec center fielder also occupies the second position in hits (21), shares the fourth spot in walks (9), and ranks fifth in batting average (.397).
> Meanwhile Wyatt Hendrie has taken over the top spot in the conference with five homers and ranks second with 22 runs scored. The SDSU catcher is also tied for second with teammate Brian Leonhardt with 19 RBIs while ranking fourth with a .644 slugging percentage.
> The Aztecs boast six of the top 10 players in the league in runs scored. In addition to Rudick, Hendrie and Fein, Jarvis has climbed into third with 19 runs, followed by Jacob Cruce (t-4th - 18) and Cole Carrigg (10th - 12).
> Along with Fein and Rudick, SDSU has three other players among the MW leaders in hits, including Jarvis (t-4th - 24), Hendrie (t-8th - 20) and Leonhardt (10th - 19).
> Likewise, joining Fein, Hendrie and Leonhardt on the league's top-10 list in RBIs are Cruce (5th - 15) and Jarvis (t-6th - 14).
> On the mound, Troy Melton shares the league lead with three victories and is tied for second with 30 strikeouts while occupying the fourth slot with a 3.14 ERA. The SDSU hurler also ranks fifth with a .212 opponent batting average and is tied for ninth in fewest hits allowed (22).
> In addition, fellow righty Michael Paredes ranks second in ERA (2.20) and fourth in both strikeouts (28) and opposing batting average (.197).
> With huge production throughout the lineup, unsurprisingly San Diego State leads the MW in numerous offensive categories as a team this week, including batting average (.326), hits (192), runs (144), RBIs (129), total bases (255) and fewest strikeouts (87). The Aztecs also occupy the second spot in the league this week in doubles (27), slugging percentage (.393) and on-base percentage (.393).
> On the hill, SDSU pitchers lead the conference with a .260 opposing team batting average and rank second in both ERA (4.75) and strikeouts (144).
SAN JOSÉ STATE AT A GLANCE
> The Spartans, who were picked seventh in the Mountain West preseason coaches poll, will be seeing their first action of the spring after suspending all team-related activities due to COVID-19 protocols on Feb. 15.
> SJSU posted a 5-12 mark during the abbreviated 2020 season, ending the campaign with a six-game losing streak.
> The Spartans return six position starters and 11 pitchers from last year, including all-MW honorees Jonathan Clark and Ruben Ibarra.
> Clark, who is projected as the starting pitcher in game one of Saturday's doubleheader, posted a 1-1 record and one save to go with a 2.25 ERA and 17 strikeouts in four relief appearances last season. For the year, he allowed three runs on four hits and six walks in 12 innings of work.
> As a designated hitter/first baseman, Ibarra started all 17 games for SJSU in 2020, finishing with a .344 batting average, which ranked eighth in the conference in 2020 to go with three homers and eight RBIs. He also finished among the league leaders in on-base percentage (3rd - .474), total bases (t-7th - 35) hits (t-9th - 21) and slugging percentage (10th - .574).
> Also back in the mix are outfielders Jack Colette (.314, 3 RBIs) and James Shimashita (.250, 1 HR, 7 RBIs), along with pitchers Spencer Long and Dom Eberle.
> Long, who is listed as the probable starter for game two of Saturday's doubleheader, went 0-2 last year with a 4.79 ERA and team-high 18 strikeouts in four starts in which he tossed 20 2/3 innings. Eberle, meanwhile, made seven appearances out of the bullpen in 2020, recording a 2.16 ERA with one save and seven strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings.
> Sunday's projected starter Keaton Chase is a transfer from Oregon, where went 0-1 with an 8.53 ERA and five strikeouts in seven games as a reliever in 2020.
> Collectively, the Spartans ranked seventh out of eight teams in the Mountain West in most offensive categories last season, including batting average (.238), slugging percentage (.325), on-base percentage (.337), runs scored (78), hits (137), RBIs (71) and total bases (187).
> As a staff, SJSU pitchers ranked third in the league in 2020 with 137 strikeouts but were just seventh in team ERA (5.55) and opposing batting average (.293).
> Head coach Brad Sanfilippo is entering his fourth season at the helm of the San José State baseball program, including a stint as the Spartans' interim head coach in 2018. Prior to his promotion to head coach, Sanfilippo served as SJSU's assistant coach in 2013-14, sandwiched between stints as an assistant at the University of California, Berkeley from 2010-12 and 2015-17. Before entering the collegiate ranks, Sanfilippo was the head coach at Los Gatos (Calif.) High School, leading his squad to four El Camino League championships (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009) and a pair of CIF Central Coast Section Division II titles (2006, 2009). He also coached at Willow Glen High School in San Jose. As a collegian, Sanfilippo was a three-year starter at UC Davis and served as the Aggies' team captain during his senior year in 1998. His record with the Spartans stands at 52-76.
STRIKEOUTS GALORE
> San Diego State recorded 27 games with 10 or more strikeouts during the 2019 campaign, marking the most double-digit strikeout performances for the Aztecs in the MW era (since 2000). SDSU surpassed the previous MW record of 23 set in a 10-6 win at Fresno State on May 11, 2009.
> After posting single digits in strikeouts during the opening series vs. USD, the Aztecs surpassed the double-digit plateau in that category in all four games against UC San Diego, including a season-high 13 in the first game of the doubleheader on Feb. 28.
> SDSU also fanned 12 batters in the first game of a twin-bill vs. Fresno State on March 6.
> Last weekend, the Aztecs recorded 11 strikeouts in both games of a doubleheader vs. Air Force.
> During the shortened 2020 season, the SDSU pitching staff notched seven games with 10 strikeouts: vs. Virginia Tech, Cal State Fullerton, Iowa, Nebraska, at UC Irvine and twice against Oregon State. Not surprisingly, the Scarlet and Black went 6-1 in those contests.
> Dating back to 2019, the Aztecs are 27-14 in their last 41 games when striking out 10 or more batters, including a 5-2 mark this season.
GOING,GOING, GONE
> San Diego State has homered in 10 of 16 games this season, posting a 7-3 record in those contests.
> The Aztecs have emerged victorious in 28 of their last 39 games dating back to 2019 when launching one out of the park.
> The Aztecs went 17-5 during the 2019 campaign when going yard and 5-2 in 2020.
STREAKING AZTECS
> Matt Rudick has reached base in all 16 games this season, while Brian Leonhardt had his streak of getting aboard snapped at 14 after coming up empty in nightcap of a doubleheader vs. Air Force on March 20.
> Wyatt Hendrie owns the team's longest current hitting streak of five games followed by Ryan Orr (3), Mike Jarvis (2) and Jaden Fein (2). Earlier, Fein crafted a season-long 11-game hitting streak, while Rudick
had a 10-game streak halted last weekend vs. Air Force.
> Fein still leads the Aztecs with multiple hits in 11 games and two or more RBIs in seven outings. In addition, Rudick, Jarvis and Caden Miller have recorded eight multi-hit games apiece, while Hendrie, Leonhardt and Fein have posted two or more RBIs in five games this season.
OTHER TRENDS
> The Aztecs are 76-13 in their last 89 games when scoring five or more runs, including an 10-2 record already in 2021 after posting a 6-2 mark last year.
> San Diego State is 51-19 in its last 70 games following a loss.
> The Aztecs had their 29-game winning streak snapped when leading after six innings in the series finale against USD on Feb. 21.
> Conversely, SDSU put the brakes a 41-game losing streak when trailing after seven innings the previous day on Feb. 20.
STABILITY IN THE LINEUP
> Six players have started all 16 games for the Aztecs this season, including Mike Jarvis (SS), Caden Miller (2B), Jacob Cruce (1B), Matt Rudick (CF), Jaden Fein (RF) and Brian Leonhardt (DH).
> In addition, Wyatt Hendrie (C) and Ryan Orr (LF) have made 15 starts at their respective positions so far in 2021.
HEAD COACH MARK MARTINEZ
> Mark Martinez is in his seventh season as head coach of the Aztecs and 16th overall as a member of the San Diego State staff after succeeding the late Tony Gwynn on August 20, 2014. He is just the fifth head coach in SDSU history since baseball was elevated to major sport status in 1936.
> During his tenure as the Aztecs' head coach, Martinez has compiled a 196-139 record (.584), highlighted by three Mountain West tournament championships in 2015, 2017 and 2018. He has also posted a 95-69 ledger (.579) in conference regular-season games.
> Since 2015, SDSU has garnered 30 all-Mountain West accolades under Martinez's tutelage, including back-to-back MW Pitchers of the Year Brett Seeburger (2017) and Garrett Hill (2018), as well as 2017 MW Player of the Year Danny Sheehan.
> Additionally, Martinez has mentored three freshman All-Americans in Chase Calabuig (2015), Casey Schmitt (2018) and Jaden Fein (2019), with the latter also receiving Mountain West Co-Freshman of the Year distinction last year.
> In 2017, Martinez recorded his 100th victory for the Scarlet and Black, becoming the fastest head coach in program history to reach the century mark in wins.
> Not to be outdone, Martinez also became the fastest head coach in Mountain West history to win three conference championships when the Aztecs captured the title in 2018.
> Martinez was hired as an assistant coach for the Aztecs in July of 2005 and served for nine years under head coach Tony Gwynn. During that time, he was promoted to the position of associate head coach.
> Since his arrival on The Mesa as an assistant coach, Martinez has witnessed 44 SDSU players get drafted into the professional ranks, with nine of those selections making the major leagues (Stephen Strasburg, Addison Reed, Justin Masterson, Bruce Billings, Quintin Berry, Lance Zawadzki, Greg Allen, Ty France and Seby Zavala).
> Prior to his arrival at San Diego State, Martinez was an assistant coach at New Mexico for 17 seasons from 1989-2005. During his time as a hitting and infield coach, he helped develop the Lobos into one of the most prominent offensive teams in the country, with UNM ranking among the top 11 nationally in hitting over his final four seasons.
> Martinez served as an assistant at his alma mater, Mesa State College (now Colorado Mesa University) in Grand Junction, Colorado, from 1984-88. He played shortstop at the school from 1982-84, earning all-conference and all-district honors as a senior.
> Martinez graduated from Mesa State with a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1984 and completed his master's in sports administration at New Mexico in 1990.
Aztecs Hit the Road to Face SJSU This Weekend
