April 11, 2003
San Diego State pulled off it biggest comeback of the year, scoring four times in the ninth inning to defeat New Mexico, 10-9, at Lobo Field in Albuquerque Friday afternoon. The win raised the Aztecs' record to 16-19 on the season and 9-4 in the Mountain West Conference as they remain in second place, two games ahead of both UNM and Brigham Young. The loss left the Lobos at 24-14 overall (7-5 MWC).
Trailing 9-6 going into the final inning, Ryan Wilson and Jordan Swaydan opened the ninth with back-to-back singles off Lobo reliever Aaron Soto. That brought on Joe Salas to pitch for New Mexico, and he quickly retired the first two batters he faced.
However, a walk to James Guerrero loaded the bases, and outfielder Jake McLintock delivered a two-run single to draw the Aztecs to within a run. Garrett Cook then hit a single up the middle that went off the glove of UNM second baseman Mike Svetlic. Guerrero scored to tie the game and McLintock advanced to third. When Sveltic's throw to third skipped past Josh Mader, McLintock came home with what proved to be the winning run.
SDSU's Drew Jenson, who pitched the final five innings in relief of starter Mike Moat, picked up the win to improve his record to 5-1. Joe Salas (0-4) took the loss for the Lobos.
The game had begun with San Diego State scoring in their opening at bat, but then seeing UNM score five (two earned) in the bottom of the first. The Aztecs fought back to knot the score at 5-5 with Ryan Wilson And Jordan Swaydan scoring twice each along the way.
The Lobos regained the lead at 7-5 as they scored a pair in the fifth. When SDSU closed the gap to a single run in the seventh, UNM catcher Jeff Grady gave his team a 9-6 lead with a two-run homer in the bottom of the same inning. It stayed that way until the Aztecs' dramatic comeback in their final at bat.
James Guerrero, Jake McLintock and Ryan Wilson all had two hits apiece on the afternoon for the Aztecs with both of Guerrero's hits being two-out RBI singles. In addition, Landon Burt accounted for three RBI with a two-run double and a sacrifice fly.
San Diego State and New Mexico continue their three-game series on Saturday afternoon (April 12) at 1:00 p.m. (MDT) at Lobo Field. That contest can be heard live on the Internet with Alan Horton's pregame show starting 10 minutes before game time.
San Diego State 10, New Mexico 9SDS 102 020 104 - 10 12 2UNM 500 020 200 - 9 15 4Moat, Jenson (5) and SwaydanVermilyea, Soto (8), Salas (9) and GradyW - Jenson (5-1)L - Salas (0-4)Sv - NoneHR - UNM: Grady (7th-one on)Att. - 530Time - 3:21