April 13, 2003
Albuquerque - Josh Jezek's one-out single in the bottom of the 10th inning drove in the winning run as New Mexico defeated San Diego State, 5-4, at Lobo Field in Albuquerque Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Lobos improved to 25-15 overall and 9-6 in the Mountain West Conference. The Aztecs, meanwhile, fell to 16-21 on the year and 9-6 in league play. At the halfway point of the conference season, SDSU, New Mexico and Brigham Young all stand at 9-6, tied for second place, three games behind leaders UNLV.
The game went back and forth all afternoon, with the Aztecs taking the lead in the second on an RBI single by shortstop Kyle Floquet. The lead did not last long as UNM's Cory Lizarraga hit a two run home in the bottom of the same inning to stake the Lobos to a 2-1 lead.
SDSU came back to tie the contest with a run in the fourth. With runners on first and third, Floquet grounded to second base for the apparent third out of the inning. However, it was ruled that Lobo pitcher Darren Coltriani, who was running toward the dugout at the crack of the bat, interfered with Floquet on his way to first. The run scored and the game was tied at 2-2.
The score stayed tied until the seventh, when UNM third baseman Josh Mader hit a solo homer to give his team the lead.
Not to be outdone, the Aztecs came back with two in the eighth on a passed ball that scored Jon Stephens and an RBI single from Ryan Wilson that scored Jake McLintock.
In the bottom of the ninth, New Mexico tied the contest on a bang-bang play at the plate. With Chris Alexander at first after a walk, designated hitter Joe Salas hit a double off the wall in center field. Alexander came all the way around from first, but the relay throw appeared to beat him at the plate. Hoever, he was ruled safe, and that set the stage for Jezek's heroics in the 10th inning.
New Mexico reliever Darren Giannetti picked up the win in relief to improve his record to 4-3. SDSU's Ronnie Lindsey took the loss to fall to 2-3. The game was the fourth extra-inning affair in MWC play for the Aztecs, who are 1-3 in those contests.
Up next for San Diego State is a return home on Tuesday (April 15) take on local rival University of San Diego at 6:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
New Mexico 5, San Diego State 4 (10 inn.)SDS 010 100 020 0 - 4 11 0UNM 020 000 101 1 - 5 8 2Carque, Lindsey (9) and SwaydanColtriani. Giannetti (8) and GradyW - Giannetti (4-3)L - Lindsey (2-3)Sv - NoneHR - UNM: Lizarraga (2nd-one on) UNM: Mader (7th-none on)At. - 630Time - 2:51