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Aztecs complete season-opening homestand at 3-4
Source: goaztecs.com
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
February 26, 2024 (San Diego) - After forging a late rally the previous night, San Diego State suffered a reversal of fortune on Sunday, dropping an 11-5 decision to Utah in the final game of the Tony Gwynn Legacy.
Trailing 5-0, the Aztecs (3-4) knotted the score with a third-inning outburst, only to see the Utes flip the script with a five-run eruption of their own in the seventh to pull away for the win.
Utah (7-1) capitalized on three SDSU errors while collecting five extra-base hits to capture its seventh straight victory on the young season and snap the Aztecs’ two-game winning streak in their weekend tournament.
The Utes broke out the gates with two runs in the first when Kai Roberts drove in Core Jackson with a triple to right center and ultimately crossed the plate when Tyler Quinn was caught in a run-down between first and second on an apparent double steal attempt.
Later in the third, SDSU was victimized by two walks, one hit batter and a fielding error on a throw to plate, which resulted in three additional Utah runs.
Matt Flaharty was hit by a pitch and Jackson drew a walk, with both runners advancing on TJ Clarkson’s flyout to left center. Following another walk to Quinn, Michael Davinni knocked in Flaharty and Jackson with a single to right, as Shaun Montoya’s throw home deflected off the glove of catcher David Whittle into the Aztec dugout. Quinn was promptly awarded home plate on the error, giving the Utes a 5-0 cushion.
Stung, SDSU responded with a five-run flurry in the bottom of the frame to tie the contest. Finley Bates walked and scored on Jake Jackson’s infield single, while Drew Rutter reached on a fielder’s choice, plating Montoya, who previously doubled.
Following a walk to Irvin Weems, Colby Turner got into the act with a double of his own to drive in Rutter, while Brady Lavoie followed with a two-run single.
The game remained tied until the seventh when Utah went ahead to stay, scoring five markers on three hits and one error off Aztec reliever Aidan Russell.
Jackson threaded a single up the middle to plate Kaden Carpenter and Flaharty, who previously walked and reached on an error, respectively, as both runners advanced on the miscue. Shortly thereafter, Clarkson ripped a two-run triple to right center and later crossed the plate on Quinn’s grounder to short.
The Utes added a single tally in the ninth to account for the final margin when Quinn doubled with two outs and quickly scored on Davinni’s single to right.
Despite a brief appearance in relief, Cameron Nielson (1-0) was credited with the victory after getting the final two outs of the sixth inning, while Russell (0-1) was tagged with the loss. The SDSU hurler retired the side in the sixth but managed only two outs in the fateful seventh before giving way to Garvey Rumary, who pitched the rest of the way.
Aztec starter Xavier Cardenas III struck out six batters but allowed five runs (four earned) on two hits and four walks in five innings of work.
Meanwhile, Utah starter Jaden Harris was lifted after SDSU’s third-inning rally, surrendering six hits and three walks against only two strikeouts.
Six different Aztecs totaled at least one hit, including two by Jake Jackson, who tied his namesake in the opposite dugout for game-high honors, along with Davinni and Roberts.
San Diego State returns to the diamond on Tuesday, Feb. 27 when it travels up the freeway to battle UC Riverside at 6:30 p.m. The Aztecs continue their road swing next weekend when they open Mountain West play at Fresno State March 1-3.
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