Aztecs Falter Late in Series Opener vs. New Mexico

SAN DIEGO – San Diego State was victimized by another bout of late adversity Friday in a tough 9-7 loss to New Mexico in 10 innings in the opener of a Mountain West series at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

The Aztecs were unable to maintain a 4-1 advantage in the ninth inning, as the Lobos plated five runs to take a 6-4 lead. SDSU responded with a pair of markers in its half of the frame to tie the score at 6-6 and send the game into extra innings.

However, New Mexico erupted for three additional runs in the 10th to reclaim a 9-6 edge and withstood a fierce rally in the bottom of the inning when the Aztecs left the bases loaded with the potential winning run at first.

With the defeat, SDSU (15-32, 10-12 MW) now shares the fourth spot in the conference standings with UNLV, while the Lobos (26-18, 13-9 MW) remain tied with Nevada for the second spot.

Despite allowing three runs on two hits and four walks in two innings, UNM closer Ty Cunningham (2-1) was credited with the victory, while Aidan Russell (1.0 IP, 4 R) was charged with loss for the Scarlet and Black.

The Lobos’ comeback spoiled the return of Aztec starter Marko Sipila, who gave up one unearned run on five hits and three walks with seven strikeouts in six innings after missing the last two weekends, while relievers Evan Miranda and Peyton Rodgers each followed with a scoreless frame.

Jordy Oriach (3-for-5) and Will Asby (1-for-4) led New Mexico with three RBIs, while Ethan Ott (1 RBI) and Khalil Walker collected two hits apiece.

On the flip side, SDSU was paced by Jonathan Smith (2-for-5) and CJ Moran (2-for-4), who each drove in a pair runs, while Zane Kelly finished with two hits of his own.

Oriach’s two-run double keyed the Lobos’ outburst in the ninth off Xavier Cardenas III, sandwiched between Asby’s bases-loaded walk and an RBI single by Ott on an infield hit behind the bag at second. Luke Mansy then followed with a sacrifice fly to give the visitors a 6-4 lead.

Stung, Finley Bates drew a leadoff walk for the Scarlet and Black and promptly scored on Smith’s triple to the gap in right field. Moments later, Moran walked, as both runners advanced on a wild pitch, with Smith sliding home safely to knot the score at 6-6.

With the winning run at second, however, Cunningham received a strikeout and a flyout to send the contest into extra innings.

The Lobos quickly loaded the bases in the 10th inning when Cooper Brass was hit by a pitch, Walker reached on a bunt single, and Tye Wood threaded a grounder through the right side. Asby soon followed with a sharp single to right center, plating Brass and Walker, before Wood raced home on Oriach’s sacrifice fly.

Pinch hitters Drew Rutter and Eli Selga drew one-out walks for the Aztecs in the bottom of the inning before Bates got aboard on a fielder’s choice. Moments later, Rutter crossed the plate on Smith’s single through the right side, with Bates motoring around to third. Nevan Noonan was then hit by a pitch to load bases after Smith stole second.

However, Cunningham got Moran to ground into a fielder’s choice at shortstop to end SDSU’s final hopes.

UNM starter Daxton Purser gave up four runs (one earned) on seven hits and three walks with four strikeouts in six innings, while Josh Barnhouse (1 H) followed with three punchouts of his own in two scoreless frames.

Lobos grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the second when Akili Carris reached on a fielding error and later circled the bases on Karsten Waslefsky’s double to left.

The Aztecs finally broke their scoring drought in the third after Bates drew a walk and ultimately crossed the plate when Noonan reached on a fielding error at third base. Moments later, Noonan raced home on Moran’s double into the right-field corner.

SDSU extended its lead in the fourth on Evan Sipe’s sacrifice fly before building a 4-1 bulge in the fifth when Bates reached on an errant throw at third and eventually scored on Moran’s single through the right side.

UP NEXT
San Diego State continues its series against New Mexico on Saturday at 4 p.m. PT. Omar Serrano (4-5) is projected to start for the Aztecs against the Lobos’ Christian Mogen (2-2).