April 22, 2000
San Diego - San Diego State got a standout pitching performance in game one and explosive hitting in game two as it swept a doubleheader from New Mexico, 4-3 and 13-3, Saturday at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
With the wins, the Aztecs improved to 24-22 on the season and 12-8 in Mountain West Conference play. They picked up two games on the first-place Lobos who fell to 28-14 overall and 16-4 in league.
Freshman Rory Shortell (5-3) turned in SDSU's first nine-inning complete of the year in the opener. He allowed only four hits and struck out eight while just one of UNM's three runs was earned.
SDSU jumped out to a 3-0 lead after three innings, getting RBI singles from Ben Leuthard and Matt Ricardy plus a run-scoring double from seldom-used designated hitter Jacob Minter. But New Mexico answered back over the next two innings, taking advantage of three Aztec errors to knot the score.
Center fielder Billy Montgomery provided the game-winning run, breaking a 3-3 deadlock in the fifth inning with a two-out steal of home. It was the junior's 22nd stolen base of the year and his first steal of home this season. He was one of five Aztecs to reach safely in the game as Lobo starter Chris Cooper (7-3) scattered five hits while taking the loss.
Montgomery also provided the offensive spark in game two of the twin bill, going three-for-five with a single, double and triple. He scored three times and also knocked in three runs. Senior Paul Lockhart contributed a three-for-five effort as well with a triple and three runs batted in.
Freshman Chad Redfern got SDSU on the board with a leadoff home run in the fourth inning, his third of the season. Fellow freshman Garret Cook capped off a five-run outburst in the next inning with a three-run shot that gave the Aztecs a 7-1 lead and effectively put the game away.
Minter also continued to make the most of a start at the DH position, going two-for-three with a double and RBI in game two.
Senior Jeremy Cook went the first seven innings to record the victory and even his record at 4-4. Sophomore Chris Dunwell pitched the final two innings for SDSU, allowing no hits while striking out one.
The Aztecs and Lobos conclude their three-game series on Sunday, April 23, at 2:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
GAME 1San Diego State 4, New Mexico 3UNM 000 210 000 - 3 4 0SDSU 021 010 00x - 4 5 5Shortell and RogersCooper and LittleW - Shortell (5-3)L - Cooper (7-3)SV - NoneHR - NoneTime - 2:25Att - 482
GAME 2San Diego State 13, New Mexico 3UNM 000 011 000 - 3 7 0SDSU 000 252 04x - 13 13 2Albers, Contreras (6), Yamaoka (8), Wong (8) and LittleCook, Dunwell (8) and RogersW - Cook (4-4)L - Albers (7-2)SV - NoneHR - SDSU: Redfern (4th-none on) Cook (5th-two on)Time - 2:40Att - 289