Feb. 26, 2006
SAN DIEGO - Despite a strong offensive performance, San Diego State couldn't maintain its 6-3 lead in the ninth inning. UC Irvine tied the game at six, before scoring two more runs in the 10th inning to win, 8-6. SDSU (4-10) had six runs on 14 hits, but it wasn't enough to hold off the Anteaters.
Third baseman Tim O'Brien had a four-hit game for the Aztecs, including a solo home run in the fourth inning. O'Brien finished the contest 4-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI. His other three hits were all singles.
UC Irvine (9-5) struck first in the opening frame with two RBI singles off the bats of designated hitter Jaime Martinez and right fielder Bryan Peterson. SDSU cut the deficit in half in bottom of the first, when first baseman Brock Ungricht singled home center fielder Quintin Berry.
Martinez got the run back for UC Irvine in the third inning when he slugged a solo shot over the left field wall to give the Anteaters a two-run lead again.
O'Brien answered Martinez's home run with his four bagger in the fourth. In the following inning, SDSU tied the game from a sacrifice fly off the bat of second baseman Sam Pepper that scored freshman Nick Romero.
The Aztecs took the lead when they scored twice in the sixth inning. O'Brien singled to start the inning and catcher Jordan Swaydan reached on an error. Following a sacrifice bunt from left fielder Paul Smyth, Romero and designated hitter Joey Huskins both singled home O'Brien and Swaydan. SDSU added another tally on the board in the next inning when right fielder Curt Mendoza was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to send home O'Brien.
UC Irvine started the ninth with three consecutive hits (a double and two singles) to score the first run of the inning. A sacrifice fly and a two-out single to right field sent the game into extra innings. In the 10th, a leadoff walk to center fielder Spike McDougall got things started for the Anteaters. A sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch had McDougall at third with two outs. A single by second baseman Josh Tavelli and a triple by left fielder Gary Dudrey scored the game-winning run and the insurance run for UC Irvine.
Bruce Billings got the start on the mound and got a no decision. The hurler threw six complete, allowing three runs on six hits and struck out nine. Relief pitcher Adam Simon took the loss, dropping his record to 0-2. Simon was on the hill for the last three innings, giving up five runs on six hits.
SDSU returns to action against USC Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
UC Irvine 8, San Diego State 6 (10 inn.)UCI 201 000 003 2 - 8 13 2SDS 100 112 100 0 - 6 14 1Swanson, Axelrod (6), Necke (7), Erickson (9) and Werhun, Lowenstein (9)Billings, Douglas (7), Simon (8) and SwaydanW - Erickson (1-0)L - Simon (0-2)Sv - noneHR - UCI: Martinez (2) (3rd-none on) SDS: O'Brien (3) (4th-none on)Att. - 650Time - 3:41