Feb. 20, 2005
RALEIGH, N.C. - North Carolina State rallied for seven runs in the sixth inning to erase a four-run deficit as it went on to a 9-4 win over San Diego State Sunday afternoon at Doak Field in Raleigh. The Wolfpack, which had been held to just two hits through the first five innings, used seven hits, a walk and a safety squeeze to wipe out the Aztecs' 4-0 lead en route to the win.
It was the fourth straight win for the home side, which improved to 6-1 on the season. SDSU, meanwhile, dropped its third consecutive contest as it saw its record fall to 2-8.
San Diego State opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the second inning. An inning-opening base hits by Lance Zawadzki (single) and Jake McLintock (double) followed by an RBI fielder's choice by Garrick Evans and Clayton Carson's RBI single gave SDSU s 2-0 lead.
James Scott walked and went to third one out later on a single by Quintin Berry. A ground out to shortstop by Zawadzki made it a four-run SDSU advantage. Berry was the lone Aztec with more than one hit on the afternoon as he contributed a pair of singles.
San Diego State starting pitcher Andres Esquibel (1-2) was in total control over the first five innings. After allowing two base runners in the first on a double and an error, the freshman from Vista retired the next 11 hitters in a row before allowing another hit in the fifth.
However, Esquibel's effort was spoiled as the Wolfpack began their half of the sixth with four straight singles to make it a 4-1 contest. A walk and another single made it a one-run contest and spelled the end of the day for the Aztec freshman.
Lefty reliever Ben Coon was called upon, but he fared little better, giving up back-to-back singles and a safety squeeze. Before it was over, North Carolina had a 7-2 lead, and it added a pair of unearned runs in the seventh to close out the scoring.
Wolfpack reliever Adam McLaurin, who had come on for starter Jeff Stallings to start the sixth, was the beneficiary of his team's comeback as he picked up his first win of the year to improve to 1-0.
Up next for San Diego State is a contest vs. Cal State Northridge on Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 2:00 p.m. at Matador Field in Northridge.
North Carolina State 9, San Diego State 4SDSU 020 110 000 - 4 7 3NCSU 000 007 20x - 9 10 0Esquibel, Coon (6), Burkle (7), Scott (7), Campbell (8) and UngrichtStallings, McLaurin (6), Payne (9) and MuycoW - McLaurin (1-0)L - Esquibel (1-2)Sv - NoneHR - SDSU: Evans (1)Time - 2:47Att. - 422