April 10, 2005
SAN DIEGO - New Mexico used three home runs to score all of its runs as it defeated San Diego State, 6-4, Sunday afternoon at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The Aztec offense, which had scored 32 runs against the Lobos in the previous two contests, was held in check for the most part by UNM starter Darren Coltrinari as his side improved to 16-17 overall and 6-6 in the Mountain West Conference.
San Diego State (9-21; 4-5 MWC) could not cash in on several scoring opportunities as it put at least one man on base in every inning. The Aztecs left a total of 11 men on base on the day as it saw a brief two-game win streak come to an end.
SDSU took the early lead in the game, scoring single runs in both the first and second innings on RBI singles by Brock Ungricht and Quintin Berry. However, that 2-0 lead was erased with one swing of the bat in the third as Lobo catcher Jeff Grady homered to left field, scoring Matt Foote ahead of him. Foote had reached on an Aztec fielding error to open the inning.
The visitors took the lead in the next frame as designated hitter Chris Carlson led off with a solo home run to make it a 3-2 contest. UNM extended that margin to 6-2 in the fifth when Garrick Haymore hit a ball deep over the right field fence with two men aboard.
All six New Mexico runs came off Aztec starter Ben Coon, who took the loss to fall to 1-2 on the year. Coon gave up a total of six hits over his five innings of work while striking out four.
San Diego State tried to get back into the contest with a pair of runs in the sixth to close the score to 6-4. Jake McLintock's one-out double and a walk to Jordan Swaydan were followed by run-scoring singles off the bats of Sam Pepper and Joseph Scaperotta, but that's as close as the home side would come.
The Aztecs threatened in the ninth, putting two men on with one out before Lobo reliever Petr Pacas came on to record the final two outs and notch his second save.
Up next for San Diego State is a non-conference contest against UC Irvine on Tuesday (Apr. 12) at 6:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium. Following that game, the team will head to Provo, Utah, for a three-game MWC series with league-leading Brigham Young.
New Mexico 6, San Diego State 4UNM 002 130 000 - 6 8 1SDS 110 002 000 - 4 11 1Coltrinari, Pacas (9) and J. GradyCoon, Esquibel (6), Bruckart (8), Douglas (8), Campbell (9) and SwaydanW - Coltrinari (5-2)L - Coon (1-2)Sv - Pacas (2)HR - UNM: Haymore (3), C. Carlson (6), J. Grady (7)Time - 2:53Att. - 473