March 26, 2004
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - San Diego State scored twice in the top of the eighth to break a 2-2 deadlock, and senior right-hander Ryan Schroyer closed out the final 1.1 innings as the Aztecs defeated New Mexico, 4-3, Friday night at Albuquerque's Isotopes Park.
The win extended SDSU's win streak to four games as it improved to 14-17 on the season and remained perfect in conference play at 4-0. The Lobos saw their record fall to 5-15-1 and 2-2 in the Mountain West Conference.
Aztec starting pitcher Scott Shoemaker saw his string of 16 consecutive scoreless innings ended quickly as New Mexico struck for two runs in the bottom of the first. Right fielder Sean Murray's two-out two-RBI single staked the home side to a 2-0 lead.
The Aztecs rallied to knot the score at two apiece in their next at bat. Rielly Embrey led off the frame with a double to right field. The next hitter, Brock Ungricht hit a two-run home to left that apparently tied the contest. However, it was discovered that Ungricht had batted out of order due to an error on the lineup card submitted prior to the game. As a result, Jake McLintock, who was supposed to hit, was out and Ungricht had to return to the plate.
Seemingly unphased by losing his first home run of the year, Ungricht proceeded to double down the right field line with Embrey advancing to third. After a strikeout, third baseman Chad Corona singled to left to tie the game.
Both Shoemaker and UNM starter Jason Fernandez held the respective opposing offenses at bay over the next five innings. Shoemaker allowed three hits and struck out five after giving up the two runs in the first while Fernandez retired 11 in a row from the third through sixth innings.
San Diego State's eighth-inning rally began with a leadoff single by Corona, who was replaced at first base by pinch runner David Hall. Catcher Clay Coulter sacrifice Hall to second and Landon Burt single to center to put runners at first and third. Freshman Lance Zawadzki then singled to right, scoring Hall and advancing Burt to third. When the right fielder's throw was misplayed by the Lobo second baseman, Burt scored to make it a 4-2 game.
Lefty Ben Coon came on in relief of Shoemaker to start the bottom of the eighth, but was lifted in favor of closer Ryan Schroyer after giving up a run on a walk and an RBI double. Schroyer induced Sean Murray to fly out to end the inning, then retired the side in the ninth to record his sixth save. Shoemaker improved to 4-5 with the win while Fernandez suffered the loss to fall to 2-3.
San Diego State and New Mexico continue their three-game weekend series on Saturday (March 27) at 6:00 p.m. (MST).
San Diego State 4, New Mexico 3SDS 020 000 020 - 4 9 0UNM 200 000 010 - 3 7 1Shoemaker, Coon (8), Schroyer (8) and CoulterFernandez, Salas (8) and SpitaleriW - Shoemaker (4-5)L - Fernandez (2-3)Sv - Schroyer (6)HR - NoneAtt. - 908Time - 2:18