May 11, 2002
Albuquerque - San Diego State's offense broke out of its doldrums emphatically on Saturday with a season-high 23 hits as it defeated New Mexico, 21-15, at Lobo Field in Albuquerque. With the victory, combined with losses by Brigham Young and Air Force, the Aztecs clinched at least a tie for the Mountain West Conference title. Only Utah can catch SDSU (37-20, 17-9 MWC), and a win tomorrow would see the Aztecs secure the outright regular-season league championship and number-one seed at the upcoming conference tournament.
For the second day in a row, strong winds gusting to 35 mph made it tough going for the pitchers on both teams as at least one side scored in each inning. SDSU starter Chris Dunwell (8-3) pitched into the seventh inning to record his eighth win of the season. He was charged with 10 runs, but only four of the earned variety.
After three innings, the Aztecs found themselves trailing 5-3, then scored six times in the fourth to chase Lobo starter Matt Bullen (2-6). They took the lead on a two-RBI single by Carlo Cota and a two-run double by Jon Stephens. Cota finished the game with four hits, four runs scored and three RBI. Stephens also collected four hits on the afternoon with a double and homer, and his seven RBI on the day were one shy of the school record.
Not content with the 9-5 lead, SDSU added five more in the fifth on RBI's by Cota, Stephens, Josh Hill and Anthony Gwynn. The fifth run of the inning came via some heads up base running by Gwynn. After tripling to right center, he came home when UNM catcher went to the mound without calling time out.
With a 16-5 lead, the game seemed well in hand, but such was not the case in the altitude and winds of Albuquerque. The Lobos (21-30, 10-16 MWC) closed to within 16-11 before Stephens unloaded his third home of the year, a two-run shot in the eighth, and the Aztecs scored three more in the ninth.
The Lobos provided a few anxious moments for SDSU in the ninth, scoring four times in their final at bat, but it wasn't enough to prevent an Aztec victory.
All nine SDSU starters collected at least one hit and eight of the nine scored at least once. Rielly Embrey and Brian Manfred also had three hits apiece for San Diego State, which belted seven doubles, one shy of the school record.
San Diego State and New Mexico conclude their three-game series on Sunday (May 12) at 1:00 p.m. (MDT). That game can be heard live on the Internet with Alan Horton calling the action. The broadcast begins 10 minutes prior to game time (11:50 a.m. Pacific time) with the Aztec pregame show.
San Diego State 21, New Mexico 15SDS 021 652 023 - 21 23 4UNM 212 003 304 - 15 20 3Dunwell, Fiedler (7), Hartshorn (7), Ring (8) and ManfredBullen, DeYapp (4), Mason (5), Smith (6), McCready (9) and GradyW - Dunwell (8-3)L - Bullen (2-6)Sv - NoneHR - SDS: Stephens (8th-one on) UNM: Grady (6th-tw on)Att. - 1923Time - 3:46