April 30, 2004
SANDIEGO - Jordan Swaydan's two-out two-run double in the sixth pushed across the go-ahead runs as San Diego State came from behind to defeat New Mexico, 7-3, Friday evening at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The win moved the Aztecs to 23-24 overall and 11-6 in the Mountain West Conference. New Mexico, meanwhile, saw its record fall to 17-22-1 (13-6 MWC).
The Aztec broke on top with a run in the first on a single by leadoff man Landon Burt, who promptly stole second base. A fielder's choice advanced him to third, and he scored on a sacrifice fly by Rielly Embrey.
The visitors answered back in the top of the second, scoring three times on five hits off SDSU starter Scott Shoemaker. However, those five singles were the only hits that UNM would record on the night as the Aztec senior threw four hitless frames after that to pick up the win. It was the seventh consecutive victory for Shoemaker as he improved to 8-5 on the season.
After closing the score to 3-2 on a Rielly Embrey single in the third, San Diego State was held at bay by Lobo starter Jason Fernandez (5-5), who retired the side in order in both the fourth and fifth innings. But the home side finally got to Fernandez in the sixth to regain the lead.
After a one-out single by Embrey, third baseman Brick Ungricht was hit by pitch to put runners of first and second. Jake McLintock then lashed a double to left field to bring home Embrey and tie the score at 3-3. With the infield drawn in, a grounder to short accounted for the second out of the inning before Swaydan's double down the left field line that took a bad hop under third baseman Jay Russell's glove.
SDSU added a pair of runs in the seventh on an RBI single by Ungricht and a bases-loaded walk to David Hall.
Senior lefty Drew Jenson, who had come on in relief of Shoemaker to start the seventh, threw three perfect innings to record his second save of the season.
Rielly Embrey finished the night with three hits, a pair of runs scored and three runs batted in while Ungricht contributed two hits and scored once.
The Aztecs and Lobos continue their three-game weekend series on Saturday (May 1) at 1:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The game can be heard live at www.goaztecs.com or followed on GameTracker at the same web site.
San Diego State 7, New Mexico 3UNM 030 000 000 - 3 5 0SDS 101 003 20x - 7 10 0Fernandez, J. Smith (7), Letz (7) and SpitaleriShoemaker, Jenson (7) and SwaydanW - Shoemaker (8-5)L - Fernandez (5-5)Sv - Jenson (2)HR - NoneAtt. - 437Time - 2:31