March 12, 2003
San Diego - Long Beach State scored 11 times in the fourth inning to erase a 5-0 San Diego State lead as the 49ers defeated the Aztecs, 14-11, Wednesday evening at Tony Gwynn Stadium. With the win, seventh-ranked LBSU improved its record to 14-6 on the year while the Aztecs fell to 7-15.
SDSU jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first on a three-run homer by Jake McLintock, his third home run of the season. The Aztecs added two more in the third on RBI singles by Peter Stonard and Curt Mendoza.
In the top of the fourth, Long Beach State rallied for 11 runs on eight hits, four walks and a pair of hit batters off four San Diego State pitchers.
The Aztecs answered back with two runs in the bottom of the inning on a two-out two-RBI double by freshman James Guerrero. However, the 49ers added three runs (all unearned) to their total in the fifth to up their lead to 14-7.
SDSU cut into that margin on Curt Mendoza's two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth, a towering blast to center field, and got its final two runs on a two-run home run by Guerrero in the eighth
Long Beach reliever Brett Andrade picked up his first win of the season while closer Carlos Muniz recorded his third save, striking out three and allowing one hit in the ninth. SDSU's Ryan Heil (0-1), the second Aztec hurler in the fourth inning, took the loss.
San Diego State's James Guerrero finished the night with three hits including a double, home run and four runs batted in. Anthony Gwynn also contributed three hits and scored twice while McLintock and Mendoza had three RBIs apiece.
Up next for SDSU is a three-game series with Utah to open its 2003 Mountain West Conference schedule. The Aztecs and Utes will meet on Friday (March 14) at 6:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium with games on Saturday (March 15) and Sunday (March 16) at 1:00 p.m.
Long Beach State 14, San Diego State 11LBS 000 (11)30 000 - 14 15 0SDS 302 220 020 - 11 14 2Harang, Heil (4), Pace (4), Lindsey (4), Eigenhuis (6), Levy (8), Esparza (9) and SwaydanPaz, Andrade (3), Shoemaker (5), Muniz (9) and JenningsW - Andrade (1-0)L - Heil (0-1)Sv - Muniz (3)HR - SDS: McLintock (1st-two on), Mendoza (5th-one on), Guerrero (8th-one on)Att. - 1,003Time - 4:04