April 9, 2005
SAN DIEGO - For the second straight day, San Diego State got a season-high hit total and rode a big inning as it defeated New Mexico, 15-4, Saturday afternoon at Tony Gwynn Stadium. Every starter in the SDSU lineup had at least one hit and the team scored eight runs in the third inning en route to the win.
Aztec starter Bruce Billings went 6.2 innings, allowing three runs and striking out five as he evened his record at 3-3. The win moved SDSU (9-20, 4-4 MWC)) into third place in the Mountain West Conference standings, a half game ahead of UNM (15-17; 5-6 MWC).
The Lobos took a 1-0 lead in the second on Mike Foote's RBI triple, only to see the Aztecs respond with eight runs in the bottom of the third. During that rally, SDSU sent 12 batters to the plate against UNM starting pitcher Danny Ray Herrera (4-2). A two-run double by Brock Ungricht and a run-scoring single by Lance Zawadzki set the stage for the big blow in the inning, a grand slam by first baseman Tim O'Brien.
It was O'Brien's team-leading fourth homer of the season and the second Aztec grand slam in three games after Jake McLintock accomplished the same feat this past Sunday at UNLV. O'Brien also had a triple and single to finish one hit shy of hitting for the cycle.
Second baseman Sam Pepper collected a pair of hits during the eight-run outburst with an RBI and run scored as well. Pepper added a pair of singles and scored another run later in the game to finish off a four-hit day.
Junior shortstop James Guerrero contributed three hits on the afternoon, including a pair of triples, along with three runs scored and three RBI. His pair of three-baggers tied the SDSU mark for triples in a game, the last to accomplish the feat being Anthony Gwynn at the conference tournament in 2003.
Sophomore designated hitter Brock Ungricht chipped in with a pair of hits (double, triple) and three runs batted in. In addition, Quintin Berry's double during the eight-run third inning extend his hitting streak to 18 games.
As a team, the Aztecs four triples were one triple shy of tying the school record of five in a game. Their 18 hits was a season high, surpassing the total of 17 accumulated in Friday night's contests against the Lobos. A total of 10 of those 18 safeties were of the extra-base variety.
New Mexico and San Diego State will conclude their three-game series on Sunday (Apr. 10) at 1:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The Lobos will send right-hander Darren Coltrinari (4-2, 6.94) to the mound to oppose Aztec lefty Ben Coon (1-1, 6.28).
San Diego State 15, New Mexico 4UNM 010 001 110 - 4 9 2SDS 008 130 30x - 15 18 0Herrera, Gaarder (5) and J. GradyBillings, Douglas (7), Miller (8), Esquibel (9) and SwaydanW - Billings (3-3)L - Herrera (4-2)Sv - NoneHR - SDS: O'Brien (4)Time - 2:41Att. - 769