March 31, 2001
SAN DIEGO - An 11-strikeout effort from right-hander John Skinner propelled the San Diego State baseball team to a 6-3 win over Utah on Saturday at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The win moved the Aztecs into sole possession of first place in the Mountain West Conference standings.
SDSU (18-12 overall, 7-4 MWC) jumped on the Utes (17-15 overall, 6-5 MWC) early, scoring runs in the first and second innings. Although a two-run single from Utah right fielder Brit Pannier tied the game in the top of the fourth, the Aztecs responded with two of their own in the bottom half of the inning.
SDSU designated hitter Jake Minter blasted his first home run of the season in the second inning when he ripped a line drive over the left-center field fence off Ute starter Travis Palmer. However, Skinner stole the show, improving to 2-0 on the year and recording a new career-high with 11 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings.
Closer Royce Ring came on to pitch a scoreless ninth and record his sixth save of the year. Skinner, middle reliever Mike Garber and Ring combined to strike out 14 Utah batters. As a unit, the SDSU pitching staff has fanned 27 batters in the two games against the Utes.
Minter, third baseman Pilar Amaya and second baseman Carlo Cota led the offensive charge for SDSU. Amaya and Minter both recorded two hits, while Cota went 3-for-4 with an RBI.
SDSU will look to complete the series sweep of Utah when it hosts the Utes at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
SDSU-6, Utah-3
Utah 000 200 010 3 8 3SDSU 110 201 10- 6 10 0
Win-Skinner (2-0)Loss-Palmer (3-3)Save-Ring
2B-Shelton, PannierHR-Minter (1)