Jan. 24, 2004
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
Hawai'i-Hilo - In a doubleheader that featured two different types of games, San Diego State opened its 2004 by splitting a pair of contests at Hawai'i-Hilo on Saturday. The Aztecs took the first game, 6-3, then dropped the nightcap, 15-12. The opener proved to be a pitchers' dual while game two was a wide-open offensive affair. The win in the first game allowed SDSU to open its season with a victory for the first time since 1996.
In game one, the Aztecs made the most of four hits en route to the 6-3 win. Three of those hits came in the second inning when they struck for five runs with the aid of a walk, two hit batters, and a pair of Vulcan errors. SDSU got RBIs in the frame from Curt Mendoza, Landon Burt and Rielly Embrey.
UHH responded with three runs in its half of the third to cut the lead to 5-3. A pair of walks set the stage for third baseman Johnny Dudoit's three-run homer that just cleared the fence in left field.
Aztec catcher Jordan Swaydan added an insurance run for the visitors with a solo home run in the fifth to round out the scoring in the seven-inning contest. Swaydan, who had singled in the second, accounted for half of the team's hits in the game.
Senior right-hander Scott Shoemaker went six innings to pick up his first win as an Aztec after transferring from Long Beach State. Along the way he scattered five hits and struck out nine while walking two. SDSU's other senior transfer, Ryan Schroyer, pitched a perfect seventh inning to record his first save.
In game two, the Vulcans scored seven times in the fifth inning to erase an 11-6 Aztec lead and go to the win. All of the damage came after two were out with runners on first and third. UHH then had its next eight batters reach safely on six singles and a pair of walks.
As he did in game one, the Vulcans' Johnny Dudoit tormented the Aztecs in the nightcap, collecting four hits and five runs batted in (including another three-run homer). Right fielder Sean Tamura also had four hits for UHH and scored each time he reached base.
San Diego State's Jake McLintock led the Aztec offense with three hits including a pair of doubles and four RBI. Shortstop James Guerrero and second baseman Garrett Changnon also had three hits apiece, with the latter scoring three times. In addition, left fielder Curt Mendoza contributed a two-run homer.
By the time the contest ended, both starting pitchers (Ben Coon for SDSU and Brian Ebbs for UHH) were long gone. Vulcan reliever Adam Hartman was the beneficiary of his team's fifth-inning rally, picking up the win to improve to 1-2 on the young season while Tyson Usui tossed the final tow innings to record his first save. SDSU freshman Brett Douglas (0-1) was charged with the loss.
The Aztecs and Vulcans continue their series on Sunday (Jan. 25) when they move over to Kona for a doubleheader beginning at 11:00 a.m. (HST).
Game OneSan Diego State 6, Hawai'i-Hilo 3SDS 050 010 0 - 6 4 1UHH 003 000 0 - 3 4 3Shoemaker, Schroyer (7) and SwaydanDaugherty, Hanohano (6), Caviglia (7) and SavioW - Shoemaker (1-0)L - Daugherty (0-1)Sv - Schroyer (1)HR - UH: Dudoit (3rd-two on) SDS: Swaydan (5th-none on)Time: 2:00
Game TwoHawai'i-Hilo 15, San Diego State 13SDS 042 320 110 - 13 18 0UHH 102 372 00x - 15 18 2Coon, Douglas (5), Billings (5) and UngrichtEbbs, Hartman (4), Caviglia (6), Miyahara (7), Usui (8) and TaiariolW - Hartman (1-2)L - Douglas (0-1)Sv - NoneHR - SDS: Mendoza (4th-two on) UHH: McLaughlin (3rd-one on), Dudoit (4th-two on)Time: 3:46Att. - 225