Kalei Contrades’ wide array of talents were on full display Sunday.
Not only did the San Jose State freshman collect three hits and score a run, but Contrades struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning, punching out Jordan Mullins to complete the Spartans’ first sweep of Fresno State in a decade.
"We wanted to put up a fight going into their house," said Contrades, a 2011 Saint Louis alumnus. "That Sunday game is usually hard when you know you’ve already won the series but it didn’t really faze us."
San Jose State dominated the Bulldogs, outscoring the defending Western Athletic Conference champions 19-5 in the series, and sit in first place after the first two weeks of conference play.
Up next is a three-game series against Hawaii, a series Contrades has been eagerly looking forward to since he committed during his senior year.
The 2011 Star-Advertiser state pitcher of the year could get a chance to pitch against high school teammate Kaeo Aliviado, UH’s starting left fielder.
The two have known each other since youth baseball days in elementary school in Ewa Beach and are looking forward to seeing each other on the same field again.
"I’m excited for it … we’re actually real close. We just talked last week," Contrades said. "We talk about playing each other and are trying to get that edge on each other and stuff.
"I’ll wish him luck and then go out there and play hard."
Contrades leads SJSU relievers with a 1.08 ERA, going 1-1 in 162⁄3 innings allowing 10 hits and two walks with 12 strikeouts.
He earned the win on Tuesday against No. 10 Stanford, pitching a scoreless eighth inning in a 3-2 victory.
When he’s not busy pitching, he’s played in 21 games as a position player — starting 10 — with a .321 average in 53 at-bats, collecting 17 hits, seven runs and six RBIs.
He’s filled the designated hitter role and has already played all three positions in the outfield.
"The toughest part is just the time management in practice and budgeting your time," Contrades said. "I try to split it in half actually — the first part I’ll go with the pitchers and do our throwing routines and exercises and then the second half I’ll go on the offensive side where I get my hitting in and do all the bunting drills."
Contrades and Aliviado led the Crusaders to back-to-back Interscholastic League of Honolulu titles the past two years.
Contrades was 5-2 with a 2.22 ERA his senior season, striking out 48 to only 15 walks in 41 innings.
He also hit .458 and slugged .813.
"That’s what I got recruited for, as a two-way guy," said Contrades, the Gatorade state player of the year in 2011. "Coach (Sam Piraro) told me coming in he’s going to need me on both sides of the ball so I was prepared for that."
Both Contrades and Aliviado credit their early success in college to high school coach George Gusman.
"He’s a hard-nosed coach who prepared us for the next level and how to play the right way," Contrades said. "He did a good job and now here we are about to face each other at (the Division I) level."
Aliviado said it won’t be easy if he has to face his longtime friend at the plate.
"It’ll bring back great memories playing against him," Aliviado said. "It’s going to be a fun one — a friendly battle. … He’s a good pitcher, throws the ball hard, and hits for a good average so it’ll be a lot of fun playing against him."
