Feb. 28, 2003
Lancaster, Calif. - Oregon State scored four times in the top of the eighth to complete a comeback from a 5-1 deficit and went on to defeat San Diego State, 10-6, in opening round action at the Clash of the Conferences tournament in Lancaster, Calif., Friday afternoon. The loss was the fourth straight for the Aztecs, who dropped to 5-9 on the year. Oregon State improved its record to 7-5 in the process.
After spotting the Beavers a run in the first, SDSU answered back with a pair of runs on a two-run homer by Jake McLintock in the second. The Aztecs added a single run in the third on a RBI single by James Guerrero.
One inning later, they extended their advantage to 5-1 when Chad Corona tripled and scored on Ryan Wilson's ground out to second. With two outs, Landon Burt singled to left and scored on a triple to center by Anthony Gwynn.
After Oregon State scored three times over the next three innings to close to 5-4, McLintock restored SDSU's two-run lead in the bottom of the seventh with a two-out RBI single that scored Burt, who had walked to open the inning.
SDSU starter Mike Moat had another fine outing, but was let down by the Aztec bullpen and not involved in the decision. Although not as sharp as in recent outings, the junior from Longmont, Colo., went seven innings, allowing four runs (two earned) while striking out six and walking five. He departed with a 6-4 lead, which quickly evaporated in the Beaver's four-run eighth inning outburst.
After reliever Daryl Harang walked the leadoff batter in the eighth, Ben Leuthard came on and gave up a single and walk to load the bases. Another pitching change brought on reliever Will Miller, whose first pitch was hit into right center field by Paul Richie for a bases-clearing triple. Richie scored two batters later when Rob Recuenco hit a ball through the Aztecs' drawn-in infield for an RBI single to give OSU an 8-6 lead.
The Beavers added a pair of insurance runs in the ninth when third baseman Tony Calderon hit a two-run homer to right center.
Oregon State reliever Mike Ekstrom (2-1) picked up the win in relief of starter Stephen Copeland. The Beavers' Jon Koller tossed the final 1.2 innings to pick up his second save of the year. Ben Leuthard (0-1) took the loss for SDSU.
For San Diego State, McLintock finished the day with two hits, a run scored and three RBI while teammate Josh Allen also had two hits and scored once.
The Aztecs continue tournament play in the Clash of the Conferences on Saturday when they take on Cal State Northridge at 6:00 p.m. That contest can be head live on the Internet at www.goaztecs.com with Alan Horton calling the play-by-play. The pregame show begins at 5:50 p.m.
Oregon State 10, San Diego State 6OSU 100 010 242 0 10 11 2SDS 021 200 100 - 6 9 2Moat, Harang (8), Leuthard (8), Miller (8) and AllenCopeland, Ekstrom (7), Koller (8) and RichieW - Ekstrom (2-1)L - Leuthard (0-1)Sv - Koller (2)HR - SDS: McLintock (4th-one on) OSU: Calderon (9th-one on)Att. - 324Time - 3:06