Feb. 3, 2001
Three unearned runs proved to be the difference as San Diego State dropped its 2001 baseball season opener to UC Riverside, 4-3, in a game played at the Caballeros Classic in Yuma, Ariz., Friday evening. The win improved the Highlander's record to 2-1 on the year.
UCR took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first as sophomore starting pitcher Chris Hartshorn was victimized by his defense for a pair of unearned runs. Hartshorn threw five innings, allowing one earned runs while striking out five. Aztec hurlers struck out a total of 11 on the night.
Back-to-Back doubles from Carlo Cota and Chad Refern cut the Riverside lead in half in the bottom of the first, and SDSU drew even at 3-3 with single runs in the fourth and fifth. Cota and Redfern each finished the night with a single and double to account for half of the teams eight hits.
UC Riverside scored what proved to be the winning run in the top of the sixth when designated hitter Adam Spiker reached on a one-out single. Aztec hurler Marcos Mendoza, who had come on to began the inning, threw the ball away on a pickoff attempt, allowing Spiker to advance to third. After a strikeout for the second out, a passed ball enabled the winning run to cross the plate.
San Diego State continues play in Yuma Saturday, taking on Oklahoma State, 6-1 winners over The Citadel Friday night, at 7:00 p.m. (MST).
UC Riverside 4, San Diego State 3UCR 201 001 000 - 4 9 1SDSU 100 110 000 - 3 8 3Carralejo, C. Spiker (6) and AndersonHartshorn, Mendoza (6), Dunwell (6), Ring (9) and ManfredW - Carralejo (1-0)L - Mendoza (0-1)SV - Spiker (1)HR - None