Feb. 13, 2004
Santa Clara, Calif. - Santa Clara scored three times in the sixth inning to break open a tie game and go on to a 6-2 victory over San Diego State Friday evening at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara. The Aztecs were held to just six hits in the contest as a pair of Bronco pitchers combined to strike out 13 SDSU batters.
The loss was the second in a row for San Diego State as it saw its record fall to 5-7 on the year. Santa Clara, meanwhile, improved to 4-2 on the year.
The Aztecs scored single runs in each of the first two innings, first on an RBI single by Jake McLintock and then a fielder's choice off the bat of Ryan Wilson. However, each time SDSU scored, the Broncos answered back with a run in the bottom of the inning.
The game remained deadlocked until the sixth when the home team put together a three-run rally with two outs. After retiring the first two hitters in the inning, SDSU starter Scott Shoemaker gave up a walk and a hit batter, and was then removed in favor of senior lefty Drew Jenson. Santa Clara greeted the senior lefty with three consecutive RBI singles to take a 5-2 lead,
Bronco first baseman Will Thompson capped off the scoring with a solo home run to lead off the seventh.
Bronco starting pitcher Chad Fillinger saw his record improve to 2-0 as he allowed two runs (one earned) and struck out nine over his six innings of work. Reliever Anthony Rea came on in the seventh and struck out four before giving way to Kellan McConnell, who got the final out in the ninth to record his second save.
SDSU's Shoemaker saw his record to fall to 1-2 despite striking out seven over 5.2 innings and leaving with the game tied. Aztec pitchers, including relievers Jenson and Brett Douglas, struck out a total of 11 Broncos batters on the night.
No Aztec batter had more than one hit on the night, alhtough one of those who reached safely was freshman Brock Ungricht, who upped his current hitting streak to 11 games.
San Diego State and Santa Clara continue their three-game weekend series on Saturday
Santa Clara 6, San Diego State 2SDS 110 000 000 - 2 5 1SCU 110 003 10x - 6 11 2Shoemaker, Jenson (6), Douglas (8) and SwaydanFillinger, Rea (7) and McColganW - Fillinger (2-0)L - Shoemaker (12)Sv - McConnell (2)HR - SCU: W. Thompson (7th-none on)Att. - 423Time - 2:59