May 9, 2000
San Diego - For the third game in a row, San Diego State jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, and went on to defeat UC Riverside, 14-3, in a game played at Tony Gwynn Stadium Tuesday evening.
The Aztecs upped their season record to 29-26 as they prepare for their final series of the season this coming weekend when UNLV visits San Diego. In the process, they halted the Highlanders' five-game win streak as UCR fell to 30-23 on the year.
San Diego State opened the scoring in the first inning, getting a run on an RBI double to left center field by designated hitter Jacob Minter. The sophomore from Seal Beach continued his hot hitting, connecting for a solo home run to lead off the fifth. In between, the Aztecs exploded for seven runs in the second and third innings and eventually jumped out to a 12-0 lead before Riverside put three consolation runs on the board in the eighth inning.
Sophomore first baseman Chad Chop again demonstrated his new-found power, hitting a three-run home run over the 410 marker in dead center field. Chop was a perfect 3-for-3 on the night and scored twice.
Eight of nine SDSU starters hit safely as the Aztecs collected 16 hits. Over their last three contests, the Aztecs have averaged 13 runs and just under 20 hits a game.
For the third game in a row, San Diego State got an excellent performance from a starting pitcher. This time it was lefty Ben Julianel, a junior from Belmont, Calif., who allowed only two hits, struck out six and walked only one in five innings of work to pick up his fourth win of the season. The Aztec pitching staff struck out 11 in the game and gave up only a pair of walks.
Next up for the Aztecs is a season-ending series with UNLV this weekend (May 12-14) with games on Friday and Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. SDSU will be looking for a measure of revenge as the Rebels swept the three-game series between the two teams in Las Vegas in early April.
San Diego State needs one win or one Brigham young loss this weekend to lock down the number-two seed at the upcoming Mountain West Conference Tournament. That event will be played at UNLV's Earl Wilson Stadium May 17-20.
San Diego State 14, UC Riverside 3UCR 000 000 030 - 3 7 2SDSU 143 022 02x - 14 16 2Spiker, Ferreira (3), C. Smith (6), Jorrin (7), K. Smith (8), Esque (8) and MosbyJulianel, Jon Minter (6), Mendoza (7), Eigenhuis (8), Skinner (8), Tolen (9) and Rogers, Rosenthal (6)W - Julianel (4-3)L - Spiker (1-3)SV - NoneHR - SDSU: Jacob Minter (2), Chop (2)Time - 2:30Att - 211