Feb. 26, 2005
LONG BEACH - For the second day in a row, a pair of unearned runs proved costly to San Diego State as it dropped a 2-1 decision to 22nd-ranked Long Beach State Saturday afternoon at Blair Field in Long Beach. A costly error and an inability to take advantage of a scoring opportunity proved to be the Aztecs' undoing for the second straight day as they lost their fifth consecutive game to fall to 2-10. The 49ers, meanwhile, improved to 7-6.
Saturday's unfortunate SDSU pitching victim was junior left-hander Alex Hinshaw (0-3), who scattered five hits over eight innings while matching a season-high with six strikeouts. Hinshaw's effort followed on the heels of Bruce Billing's Friday performance in which the sophomore righty went eight strong innings before seeing a pair of unearned runs in the final inning doom the Aztecs to a similar 2-1 defeat.
Long Beach State's runs on Saturday came in the second inning. With two outs, left fielder Scott Bradley walked after which third baseman Tito Cruz singled to put runners on first and second. Catcher Chris Jones then lifted a routine fly to center field that was dropped by Quintin Berry, allowing both runners to score.
San Diego State's one run, which came in the fourth inning, was also the result of a fielding miscue. A leadoff walk to James Guerrero was followed by a hit-and-run single to left off the bat of Lance Zawadzki. The ensuing throw from the outfield skipped into the 49er dugout, allowing Guerrero to score and putting Zawadzki on third with no outs.
However, the Aztecs were unable to take advantage of the opportunity to tie the score as Long Beach State starter Marco Estrada got the next three hitters to strikeout out, bounce back to the pitcher, and ground out to second.
As well as Hinshaw pitched for SDSU, he was matched by Estrada's effort on the afternoon as the 49er right-hander went eight innings, allowing five hits and striking out seven to pick up his second win against no defeats. Closer Neil Jamison came on in the ninth to retire the side in order and record his second save.
San Diego State and Long Beach State conclude their three-game series on Sunday (Feb. 27) with game time set for 1:00 p.m. at Blair Field.
Long Beach State 2, San Diego State 1SDSU 000 100 000 - 1 5 2LBSU 020 000 00x - 2 5 1Hinshaw and SwaydanEstrada, Jamison (9) and C. JonesW - Estrada (2-0)L - Hinshaw (0-3)Sv - Jamison (2)HR - NoneTime - 2:23Att. - 1088