April 7, 2001
San Diego - After being held to just four hits in the game played earlier in the day, San Diego State unleashed a 28-hit barrage and defeated Air Force, 19-1, in Colorado Springs Saturday afternoon. The hit and runs totals were the most by San Diego State this season, and the 28 hits was one short of the SDSU record of 29 set vs. Colorado State in 1990.
With the win, the Aztecs upped their record to 20-14 overall and 9-5 in the Mountain West Conference. They trail Brigham Young by a half-game as the Cougars completed a three-game sweep at Utah and stand 10-5 in league play. Air Force evened its record at 19-19 and dropped to 5-9 in MWC play.
Junior left-hander Marcos Mendoza went the distance for San Diego State, scattering eight hits while striking out nine and giving up just one walk. He allowed one run, that coming in the sixth inning after SDSU had jumped out to a 6-0 lead.
Every Aztec starter had at least one hit during the contest. Outfielder Sean Pierce went 4-for-7 with three RBIs while six others had three hits apiece. Junior Ben Leuthard hit his second home run of the season, a three-run shot in the ninth and finished the game with a pair of hits and four RBIs. Freshman Chad Corona broke out of his hitting slump with three doubles, tying the Aztec record for two-baggers in a game.
The Aztecs and Falcons conclude their three game series in Colorado Springs on Sunday (Apr. 8) at noon (MDT). The Aztecs return home Tuesday evening (Apr. 10) to take on UCLA at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
San Diego State 19, Air Force 1SDSU 100 212 445 - 19 28 1AFA 000 001 000 - 1 8 3Mendoza and Manfred, Perdue (8)Koegel, Diehl (5), Cornell (6), Werner (7), Clinton (8), Zumbrun (9) and EllisW - Mendoza (3-4)L - Koegel (4-3)Sv - NoneHR - SDSU: Leuthard (2)Time - 2:25Att. - 578