Aztecs Split Sunday Doubleheader at Air Force

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – Bolstered by a season-high 27 hits, San Diego State erupted for a big 16-4 victory over Air Force in the first game of a Mountain West doubleheader on Sunday before the Falcons turned the tables with an 18-8 run-rule decision in eight innings in the nightcap at Erdle Field.

Individually, the Aztecs were led by Jake Jackson, who set career highs with a 6-for-6 effort at the plate and five RBIs in the opener while matching his collegiate best with three runs scored.

Not to be outdone, the SDSU sophomore tied a school record with four doubles in that contest, duplicating Evan Potter’s effort against Santa Clara on March 24, 2014. 

In all, Jackson finished the twin-bill with a combined .800 batting average (8-for-10) and six RBIs.

Collectively, the Aztecs’ 16 runs in game one tied their season best while their 27 hits marked the team’s highest output since the Scarlet and Black equaled a program record with 29 hits in a 31-0 triumph over Air Force at Tony Gwynn Stadium on April 22, 2007. SDSU also banged out 29 hits against Colorado State on May 6, 1990.

However, the Aztecs (10-21, 6-5 MW) were unable to complete the sweep on Sunday after the Falcons (11-19, 4-7 MW) outscored the visitors 14-2 over the final two innings to erase a 6-4 deficit.

GAME ONE
Eight of the Aztecs’ starting nine offensive players registered multiple hits, including four apiece by Zane Kelly (3 RBIs, two runs), Nevan Noonan (3 runs, 2 RBIs) and Finley Bates (2 runs).

Noonan’s four hits marked a career high, while Kelly and Bates matched collegiate bests with their efforts.

As a team, SDSU set a season high with 39 total bases, highlighted by 10 doubles and one triple. Along with Jackson’s performance, which featured the aforementioned three-bagger, the Aztecs received at least one double from five additional players, including two by Kelly.

Starting pitcher Marko Sipila (3-2) was victorious for the second straight week after giving up three runs on eight hits, offsetting three walks with six strikeouts in five innings, while Peyton Rodgers pitched the final four innings to earn his third save of the year, allowing one unearned run on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts.

SDSU broke open a close 3-1 ballgame with four runs on six hits and an error in the top of the fourth as Jackson, Kelly and Evan Escobar each contributed an RBI double, while Evan Sipe laced a run-scoring single.

The Aztecs increased their advantage to 8-1 in the fifth when Jackson doubled home Drew Rutter, who was previously issued a two-out walk.

The contest ultimately turned into a run-away when San Diego State plated eight runs on 13 hits over the final three innings to account for their winning total.

Jackson led off the seventh with a triple and promptly scored on Kelly’s ensuing double. Moments later, Kelly crossed the plate on Escobar’s single up the middle.

Rutter also got into the action with an RBI double in the eighth, knocking in Noonan, who earlier singled, stole second and advanced on a throwing error. After a pitching change, Rutter raced home on Jackson’s record-tying fourth double, while Kelly soon followed with an RBI single to right.

Then in the ninth, the Aztecs closed out their offensive bonanza thanks to run-scoring singles by Daniel Arambula, Noonan and Jackson.

Air Force starter Dylan Rogers (0-2) absorbed the loss after surrendering seven runs on 11 hits and one walk with just two strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings, followed by a trio of relievers.

Walker Zapp (two hits), Tripp Garrish and T.J. Oster each drove in a run for the Falcons in the defeat.

GAME TWO
The Aztecs seemed poised to maintain their juggernaut status after racing to a 3-0 lead in the nightcap.

Nevan Noonan plated Finley Bates with an RBI single to right in the first inning, while Drew Rutter brought home Jonathan Smith on a fielder’s choice grounder to shortstop.

Evan Escobar then threaded a single through the right side in the second before circling the bases on a groundout and Smith’s double to right.

However, Air Force responded with two runs apiece in its next two at-bats to claim a 4-3 advantage. Tripp Garrish doubled and scored on Chase Spencer’s triple in the second and later added an RBI single in the third.

The score remained unchanged until the sixth when the Aztecs put up three runs without a hit, capitalizing on one walk, two hit batters and three Falcon errors. Daniel Arambula and Sammy Kahler each drove in a run after reaching on a fielder’s choice, while Noonan was struck by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in Finley Bates.

SDSU was unable to build on a 6-4 lead as Air Force scored five runs on three hits and one error in the seventh to vault in front for good.

Alex Adams sparked the rally with an RBI triple and scored shortly thereafter on Walker Zapp’s single to left following a walk to Christian Taylor. Moments later, Luke Elmore’s single to center plated Taylor, while Zapp raced home when Garrish reached on a fielder’s choice. Adding proverbial insult to injury, Zach Peters’ roller down the first-base line stayed fair, allowing Elmore to cross the plate and give the hosts a 9-6 advantage.

The Aztecs trimmed the margin to 9-8 in the eighth courtesy of Arambula’s run-scoring double and Jake Jackson’s RBI groundout.

However, the Falcons sent 14 batters to the plate in their half of the frame, scoring nine runs on six hits and six walks to abruptly end the contest. Taylor and Ben Niednagel each delivered two-run singles, while Peters and Zapp both drew walks with the bases loaded.

Smith (4-for-4, 3 runs) led all players with four hits, while Arambula and Noonan totaled two RBIs apiece in the loss for SDSU.

Conversely, the Falcons were paced by Garrish (3 hits) and Spencer (2 hits) with three RBIs each, while Taylor drove in a pair of runs as well, finishing with three hits and a trio of runs scored.

Air Force’s third pitcher of the game Joey Collier (1-0) was credited with the victory after pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings when he allowed just one hit against a pair of strikeouts, while Aztec starter Omar Serrano (6.1 IP) took the loss.

UP NEXT
The two teams will wrap up their series on Monday, April 7, starting at 11 a.m. MT/10 a.m. PT.