San Jose, Calif. - Former San Jose State University infield standout and current San Jose Giant Anthony Contreras will be the featured guest speaker at the Spartan baseball program’s annual First Pitch Dinner this Friday, February 15, at the Three Flames Restaurant in San Jose.

The event is now sold out for the eighth year in a row. It will be held exactly one week ahead of the start of the 2008 campaign, and is presented by the Spartan baseball team in conjunction with the Diamond Club booster group.

Contreras was a four-year member of the San Jose State baseball team from 2002-05, earning letters as the starting Spartan shortstop in each of his final three seasons. He ended his collegiate playing career on a school-record 32-game hit streak, and was named the All-Western Athletic Conference first-team shortstop as a result. He hit a team-best .373 as a senior and .309 with exactly 100 runs scored and 80 RBI in 184 games for his Spartan career.

A San Jose native, Contreras graduated from Piedmont Hills High School in 2001. He was selected in the ninth round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft by the San Francisco Giants, and spent the 2007 season with the San Jose Giants, its Class A Advanced affiliate in the California League. Contreras appeared in 111 games, primarily as an outfielder, with 56 RBI to share the team high and go along with 16 doubles and 41 runs scored while helping the Giants to the league crown.

All San Jose State players and coaches will be in attendance at the First Pitch function. Head coach Sam Piraro, approaching the start of his 21st season in charge at his alma mater, will offer his insights on the 2008 Spartan baseball team. A 6:00 p.m. reception will precede the dinner and program portion of the evening, with the 2008 Spartans also introduced following dinner.

The Three Flames Restaurant is located at 1547 Meridian Avenue in the Carriage Square Shopping Center.

San Jose State begins the 2008 season against the University of Utah on Friday, February 22, in the opener of a four-game non-conference home series with the Utes. First pitch at San Jose Municipal Stadium is set for 6:00 p.m.