May 16, 2006
SAN DIEGO - Jordan Swaydan's bases-loaded double down the left field line in the bottom of the eighth brought home three runs and gave San Diego State a come-from-behind 9-8 victory over second-ranked Cal State Fullerton (36-13) Tuesday night at Tony Gwynn Stadium. Swaydan's heroics capped an evening that saw SDSU come from six runs back early in the contest, then fall behind again late only to win it at the end.
It was also a record-setting night for outfielder Curt Mendoza, whose two home runs in the game gave him a career total of 28 to tie the school record.
With the win in its final regular-season contest, San Diego State improved to 22-34. It was the final home appearance for 11 Aztecs seniors, and it was only fitting that eight of the team's nine hits and eight of the nine RBI were recorded by those players.
Senior right-hander Will Miller got the starting call on the mound, but was touched up for three runs in both the first and second innings as the home side fell behind 6-0. Only three of those runs were earned, however, as the Aztecs committed a costly error in each frame.
SDSU began its initial comeback in the bottom of the second as Mendoza hit a solo home run to right center field. The Aztecs then struck four times in the third on an RBI double by Quintin Berry, an RBI ground out by Brian Kinsman, and Mendoza's second homer, this one a two-run line drive over the right field fence.
San Diego State tied the score one inning later as Tim O'Brien led off with a double, went to third on a single by Joey Huskins and scored on a base hit by Jordan Swaydan.
Each team used a number of pitchers during the game. Senior lefty Ben Coon came on for Miller to start the third, and tossed three innings of shutout ball until Fullerton scored a pair in the sixth to take an 8-6 lead. A single by Danny Dorn with two out scored Justin Turner and Blake Davis, who had walked and singled respectively before executing a double steal. Dorn finished his night with three hits and drove in five of his team's eight runs on the evening.
After trailing by a pair for two innings, San Diego State made its move in the bottom of the eighth off CSUF reliever Justin Klipp. A leadoff walk to Nick Romero and a single by O'Brien spelled an end to Klipp's night on the mound.
On came Ryan Paul to face SDSU pinch hitter Chris Anderson. Anderson's sac bunt attempt was fielded by Paul, but his throw to first was in the dirt and all hands were safe, loading the bases. Swaydan then stepped up and pulled a 1-2 pitch down the left field line to put the Aztecs in front for the first time in the contest. Swaydan's hit would make a loser of Paul, who saw his record fall to 1-1.
Senior closer Adam Simon was then called upon to nail down the win, and after giving up a leadoff single in the top of the ninth, got the next three hitters in order, striking out the final two to record his seventh save of the season. SDSU's Brett Douglas was the beneficiary of SDSU's late rally, picking up the win to even his record at 2-2.
Swaydan led the way for the SDSU offense with three hits and four RBI for the game while Mendoza had the two home runs and drove in three. In addition, Tim O'Brien also contributed a pair of hits and score twice.
Up next for San Diego State is the Mountain West Conference Tournament which gets underway next Tuesday, May 23, at UNLV's Earl E. Wilson Stadium. The Aztecs could be seeded anywhere from first to third, but must wait until the other league teams conclude their regular-season schedules this weekend to find out when and against whom they will begin tourney play.
San Diego State 9, Cal State Fullerton 8CSUF 330 002 000 - 8 12 1SDSU 014 100 03x - 9 10 2Pherrin, Clark (4), Estes (5), Klipp (7), Paul (8), Gagnier (8) and CurtisMiller, Coon (3), Bruckart (7), Douglas (8), Simon (9) and SwaydanW - Douglas (2-2)L - Paul (1-1)Sv - Simon (7)HR: Mendoza-10 (2nd-none on and 3rd-one on)Att. - 605Time: 3:13