May 4, 2000
SAN DIEGO - Brigham Young broke open a close game with a total of eight runs in the sixth and seventh innings to defeat San Diego State, 15-6, in a game played in Provo, Utah, Thursday afternoon.
With the win, the Cougars (26-23, 14-11 Mountain West Conference) moved to within a half game of the second-place Aztecs (26-26, 14-10 MWC).
SDSU got off to a quick start when outfielder Sean Pierce opned the game with a triple and scored on a double play. The Aztecs increased their lead with a run in the second on an RBI fielder's choice by Edgar Gonzalez in the second inning. However, the lead was quickly erased as the Cougars scored three runs in both the third and fourth innings and a solo tally in the fifth to grab a 7-2 lead.
Not to be outdone, San Diego State came back to close to within one run with four in their half of the sixth inning. RBI's by Matt Ricardy, Brandon Rogers and Pierce brought SDSU back into the game quickly. But that would be the extent of the Aztecs' offensive output on the day as BYU responded with two in their half of the sixth plus six more in the seventh to provide the final margin.
SDSU managed a total of only eight hits on the day with Rgoers' two singles leading the way. Defensive miscues again contributed to the team's downfall as the Aztecs committed five errors in the game.
Freshman right-handed pitcher Rory Shortell got the start for SDSU, going five innings while taking the loss to even his record at 5-5. BYU's Jeff Stone threw the first six innings for the Cougars, picking up the victory to improve to 9-4 on the season.
The Azteca and Cougars continue their three-game series on Friday, May 5, in Provo, with game time set for 2:00 p.m. (MST)
Brigham Young 15, San Diego State 6SDSU 110 004 000 - 6 8 8BYU 003 312 60x - 15 17 3Shortell, Dunwell (6), Skinner (7), Ring (8) and RogersStone, Fernley (7), Noorda (8) and ClowardW - Stone (9-4)L - Shortell (5-5)SV - NoneHR - BYU: Davies (8)Time - 3:01Att - 253