Feb. 25, 2007
SAN DIEGO - For the second time in three days, a San Diego State pitcher came close to throwing a no-hitter, but this time the final outcome favored the Aztecs as they defeated UC Riverside, 5-0, Sunday afternoon at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
SDSU junior left-hander Lance Sewell (2-0) pitched into the seventh inning before allowing a one-out single through the left side of the infield that just eluded a diving Nick Romero at third base. Sewell was in control throughout his seven innings of work, allowing just one walk and a hit while striking out 10. After a two-out walk in the first to Highlander shortstop Jaime Pedroza, he retired 17 in a row before Pedroza got his team's only base hit in the seventh.
The Aztecs opened the scoring in their first at bat as Cameron Johnson drew a leadoff walk from UCR starter Dan Runzler. He then stole second and advanced to third when catcher Jeff Dunbar's throw skipped into center field. A ground out to second by Brandon Glover brought Johnson home.
SDSU doubled its lead in the third when Chris Anderson's slow roller on the left side was thrown away by Runzler, resulting in a single and two-base error to put Anderson at third. Two outs later, shortstop Troy Hanzawa came through with an RBI single to right to make it a 2-0 contest.
The two unearned runs were enough to send Runzler (0-3) to his third defeat of the season although he would be charged with two earned runs when San Diego State added three in the bottom of the seventh.
SDSU right fielder Pat Cowell began that three-run outburst with a double to left center after which Mike Willeford drew a walk, spelling the end to Kunzler's afternoon. A sacrifice bunt by Garett Green preceded an intentional one-out walk to Anderson to load the bases.
First baseman Brain Lucas, making just his second start of the season, then singled to left to bring home two runs before Hanzawa's two-out single added the third run of the inning to give the home side a 5-0 advantage.
Reliever Aaron Brady was brought on to pitch in the eighth, and he retired six of the seven men he faced over the final two frames, walking one and striking out three.
Up next for the Aztecs is a trip to Cal State Fullerton on. Tuesday, Feb. 27, where they will face the 10th-ranked Titans at 6:00 p.m. at Goodwin Field