March 2, 2001
San Diego - San Diego State scored twice in its final at bat, but it wasn't enough to overcome fifth-ranked Miami as the Hurricanes defeated the Aztecs 8-6 at the Hormel Foods Classic at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. With the win, Miami improved to 13-3 while SDSU fell to 8-6.
The Aztecs opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning on a single by Anthony Gwynn, double by Taber Lee, a passed ball and an RBI-single by Carlo Cota. Gwynn had another fine day at the plate, going 3-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI.
SDSU starter Marcos Mendoza kept the Hurricanes in check over the first two innings, but gave up six runs (four earned) over the next three frames. The junior lefty struck out five in his 4.2 innings of work, but also gave up five bases on balls, four of which eventually scored for Miami.
The Aztecs played catch-up the rest of the game, but could not close the gap to less than two runs. Trailing 8-4 going into the bottom of the ninth, they tallied twice on a double by pinch hitter Daryl Harang, RBI single by Gwynn, a single by Lee and a sacrifice fly by Cota. A Troy Perdue single put runners at first and third with two out, but the threat ended on Cody Haven's ground out to third.
Hurricane starter Kiki Bengochea, who struck out eight over seven innings, improved his record to 3-0 on the year while Mendoza dropped to 1-2. Miami used thee pitchers n the ninth, with George Huguet finishing out to collect his second save of the season.
The Aztecs outhit Miami 13-8, with Gwynn and Lee (two) the only SDSU players to collect more than one hit apiece. The Hurricanes got solo home runs from catcher Mike DiRosa and first baseman Kevin Brown.
Up next for San Diego State at the Hormel Classic is a game with 21tst-ranked Arkansas on Saturday, March 3, at 7:00 p.m. (CST) in the Metrodome. That game can be heard live on the internet (at 5:00 pm Pacific time) at www.goaztecs.com.
Miami 8, San Diego State 6MIA 003 210 011 - 8 9 3SDSU 200 110 002 - 6 13 2Bengochea, Reboin (8), DeBold (8), Prendes (8), Huguet (9) and DiRosaMendoza, Skinner (5), Garber (7), Moat (8), Ring (8) and ManfredW - Bengochea (3-0)L - Mendoza (1-2)Sv - Huguet (2)HR - Miami: Brown (4), DiRosa (3)