Jan. 18, 2002
Melbourne, Austraia - Victoria scored 4 times in the seventh inning to break a 2-2 deadlock and went on to defeat San Diego State, 6-2, in the first game of a doubleheader in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday afternoon. The win by the Aces evened the series between the two teams at a game apiece with two games remaining.
Junior Chris Hartshorn, who entered the game in the sixth on relief of starter Rory Shortell, was touched up for four earned runs in the seventh on two walks and a pair of singles. Hartshorn left the game with the Aztecs down 4-2 and the bases loaded. Soph Drew Jenson then came on retire the side, but not before giving up a two-RBI single.
For only the second time in eight games, the Aztecs found themselves behind in a game, trailing 2-0 after three innings. Victoria catcher Justin Huber led off the third with a home run to left field off Shortell. Three batters later, an RBI single by Adam Burton drive in Bret Tamburrino from third. Tamburrino had singled and advanced on a perfectly executed hit and run by shortstop Ben Utting.
San Diego State came back to tie the contest in the fifth when a Josh Hill led off with a double and Chad Redfern reached second on a throwing error by third baseman Myles Brandon. Catcher Josh Allen then stroked a double to right center to tie the game at 2-2.
Victoria scored its final run in the eighth on a two-out RBI double by left fielder Adam Burton.
The Aces' offense was aided by nine walks allowed by Aztec hurlers over the course of the contest.
Victoria starting pitcher went eight innings, holding the SDSU offense in check on five hits while striking out five and walking none. David Asp completed the game, throwing a perfect ninth inning. The two Victoria hurlers combined to retired the final 14 Aztecs in a row while waling none. SDSU's Hartshorn suffered the loss, his second of the Australian tour.
The Aztecs and Aces are slated to play the second game of Saturday's twin bill beginning at 7:00 p.m. Saturday evening.
Victoria 7, San Diego State 2SDS 000 020 000 - 2 5 0VIC 002 000 41x - 7 10 1Shortell, Hartshorn (6), Jenson (7) and AllenMcWatters, Asp (9) and HuberW - McWattersL - HartshornSv - NoneHR - VIC: Huber (3rd-none on)