Feb. 1, 2003
Santa Barbara - San Diego State took advantage of a stellar pitching performance by senior Joe Carque and produced their best offensive output of the young season in defeating UC Santa Barbara, 10-2, Saturday afternoon at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium. The win was the first of the season for Tony Gwynn's Aztecs (1-4) while the Gauchos evened their ledger at 1-1.
Carque (1-1) went eight innings, surrendering two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out three. After giving up an unearned run in the first inning, he did not allow another UCSB runner to reach second until the seventh.
Trailing 1-0 after one, it didn't take the Aztecs long to take the lead as they struck for a pair of runs in the top of the second. Singles by John Stephens and Garrett Cook led to RBI hits from Curt Mendoza and David Hall. Hall finished his day with three hits, a runs scored, one RBI and a stolen base.
In the next inning, SDSU struck six times to take an 8-1 lead. Sending 10 men to the plate, the Aztecs used five singles, a hit batter and a Gaucho error and wild pitch during the rally. Jake McLintock had a two-RBI single while Cook and Josh Allen also knocked in a run apiece.
UCSB picked up a consolation run in the eighth on a solo homer by pinch hitter Greg Powers.
The Aztecs' final two runs came in the final frame courtesy of a pair of UCSB errors and a pinch-hit RBI single by Brian Kinsman. Reliever Will Miller retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning to close out the game.
In additions to Hall's offensive output, three other Aztecs recorded a pair of hits on the day: McLintock, Cook and Allen.
"The difference today was there was just one error on our part," said head coach Tony Gwynn. "I think our defense played well and put us in a position to get outs, and when you can get outs it makes it a lot easier to win. Offensively, we didn't try to do too much. Our guys weren't afraid to go the other way, and we were able to put the pressure on UCSB to make plays.
The Aztecs and Gauchos conclude their three-game series on Sunday (Feb. 2) at 1:00 p.m. Fans can tune in to the game live on the internet at www.goaztecs.com with Alan Horton calling the action.
San Diego State 10, UC Santa Barbara 2SDSU 026 000 002 - 10 13 1UCSB 100 000 010 - 2 4 4Carque, Miller (9) and AllenThompson, Sorenson (3), Sutherland (6), Martin (7), Segal (9) and ZiemendorfW - Carque (1-1)L - Thompson (0-1)Sv - NoneHR - UCSB: Powers (8th-one on)Att. - 508Time - 2:43