April 29, 2003
Riverside - UC Riverside scored five runs in the eighth inning to overcome a three-run deficit and defeat San Diego State, 8-6, Tuesday night at the Riverside Sports Complex. With the win, the Highlanders improved to 33-12 on the season while SDSU dropped to 21-25.
The Aztecs opened the scoring in the top of the second when Jake McLintock scored on Curt Mendoza's two-out RBI single. However, that lead was short-lived as UCR came back with three in its half of the inning.
San Diego State responded quickly, scoring five runs in the next frame to take a 6-3 lead. Garrett Cook's double brought home two runs, with Cook scoring on Jon Stephens' two-bagger to left. Mendoza and Ryan Wilson also had RBIs in the inning on ground balls in the infield.
From that point, SDSU starter Ben Coon and reliever Ben Leuthard, who came on to start the fifth inning, held the Highlanders scoreless on four hits through the seventh inning. But their efforts went unrewarded as UCR staged a late rally.
The bottom of the eighth began with a walk and a hit batter by SDSU's Travis Esquibel, who had come on in relief to start the inning. After a fly out, UCR's Jason Collette singled to center to drive in the first run of the inning. Erick Eigenhuis was then called to the mound for SDSU, but the senior gave up three straight hits as the Highlanders took the lead, scoring their final run on a sacrifice fly to make it 8-6.
UCR's Chad Decker, who had entered the contest in the top of the eighth, picked up the win to improve to 3-0 while teammate Dan Ellis closed out the ninth to record his first save. Eigenhuis suffered the loss to fall to 0-1.
. Four Aztecs finished the night with two hits apiece including James Guerrero, Garrett Cook, Troy Perdue and Jake McLintock. It was the first start of the season for Perdue, who went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Cook and Curt Mendoza also contributed two RBIs apiece.
Up next for the Aztecs is a three-game series with league-leading UNLV beginning Friday (May 2) at 6:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
UC Riverside 8, San Diego State 6SDS 015 000 000 - 6 11 2UCR 030 000 05x - 8 12 1Coon, Leuthard (5), Esquibel (8), Eigenhuis (8), Harang (8) and Perdue, Swaydan (6)Shaw, Hoff (3), Hofman (7), Decker (8), Ellis (9) and EmmonsW - Decker (3-0)L - Eigenhuis (0-1)Sv - Ellis (1)HR - NoneAtt. - 250Time - 2:58