May 6, 2003
San Diego - UC Riverside scored 10 runs over the first three innings and San Diego State was unable to catch up as the Highlanders defeated SDSU, 15-12, Tuesday night at Tony Gwynn Stadium. UCR, ranked as high as 18th in the nation this week (Baseball America), improved to 37-12 on the season while the Aztecs fell to 22-28.
Among the big hits for the Highlanders during their early scoring run was a two-run single by Tony Festa in the second and a two-run double by Randy Blood and two-run homer by Brian Emmons in the five-run third inning.
After falling behind by 10 runs, SDSU's bats came alive in its half of the third when the home side scored four times. That rally was capped by a two-out bases-loaded double off the bat of Garrett Cook that scored all three runners.
The teams traded runs the remainder of the evening with the Aztecs unable to get closer than three. Anthony Gwynn and Jake McLintock had three hits apiece for San Diego State with Gwynn scoring twice and McLintock driving in two runs. Cook finished his night with two hits, two runs scored and four RBI.
For UC Riverside, outfielder Ryan Harvey was a perfect 4-for-4 on the night, scoring four times and also drawing a pair of walks. Teammate Brian Wahlbrink also had four hits and scored three times for the winners.
Aztec senior Ben Leuthard, making his first career start, gave up five runs in his 1.1 innings of work and was saddled with the loss to fall to 0-2. UCR's Dan Willis, the fourth of seven hurlers used by the Highlanders, picked up the win in middle relief to improve to 3-1. Scott Hoff tossed a perfect 1.1 innings to finish out the game and record his first save.
San Diego State now travels to Provo, Utah, for a three-game conference series at Brigham Young. With six games left in the regular season, the Aztecs and Cougars enter the weekend tied for third in the MWC. The first game is set for Thursday (May 8) at Larry H. Miller Field at 7:00 p.m. (MDT). That contest can be heard live on the Internet at www.goaztecs.com with the pregame show starting 10 minutes prior to game time.
UC Riverside 15, San Diego State 12UCR 235 012 110 - 15 16 1SDS 004 030 320 - 12 14 3Winter, Shaw (4), Martinez (5), Ellis (6), Decker (7), Hofman (8), Hoff (8) and EmmonsLeuthard, Esparza (2), Levy (3), Gillen (6), Esquibel (8), Lindsey (9) and AllenW - Ellis (3-1)L - Leuthard (0-2)Sv - Hoff (1)HR - UCR: Emmons (3rd-one on)Att. - 469Time - 3:37