Feb. 9, 2007
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State made the most of six hits and got another fine starting pitching performance from junior Donnie Hume as it defeated Santa Clara, 7-4, in its 2007 home opener Friday evening. The win allowed the Aztecs to even their record at 2-2 while Santa Clara dropped to 5-3 as it saw a five-game win streak come to an end.
Hume retired the first 13 batters he faced and left after in the seventh inning after giving up three runs (two earned) while striking out five and walking none as he improved to 2-0 on the season. Just like in the season opener, Hume's teammates gave him some early run support, this time scoring five times over the first three innings.
In the bottom of the first, Brandon Glover and Frank LoNigro drew two-out walks and came home on Nick Romero's inside-the-park home run that went down the right field line into the corner. Although the relay beat Romero to the plate, Bronco catcher Tommy Medica could not hold on to the ball while attempting to apply the tag.
Two innings later, Troy Hanzawa led off with a walk, and Garett Green's sacrifice bunt attempt was mishandled by Santa Clara starting pitcher Matt Wickswat (1-2) to put runners on first and second. Glover sacrificed both runners over before Frank LoNigro singled home Hanzawa and Green scored on Romero's sacrifice fly to make it 5-0.
The Broncos got a run back in the top of the fifth on an error, single and ground out, but the Aztecs responded with a manufactured run of their own in the bottom of the frame to regain their five-run advantage at 6-1. Glover single, stole second, advanced to third on a ground out and came home on a passed ball.
Hume was the victim of an unfortunate play in the seventh that led to the final two runs he gave up. With runners on first and second and one out, a grounder headed for shortstop that appeared to be a potential inning-ending double play struck the base umpire. The Bronco batter was awarded a hit and the bases were loaded. A single by the next batter brought home two runs to make it 6-3 before reliever Shane Kaufman came on to get the final two outs.
Just as it had earlier in the game, SDSU responded with a run of its own in the bottom of the seventh as Glover's two-out single drove home right fielder Josh Chasse. Glover ended his night with two hits, two runs scored, a walk, RBI and two stolen bases.
The visitors scored their final run in the top of the ninth and loaded the bases before SDSU freshman right-hander Stephen Strasburg got the final out to nail down the win.
The Aztecs and Broncos continue their three-game weekend series on Saturday (Feb. 10) at 1:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium with SDSU senior Bruce Billings set to oppose Santa Clara's Nate Garcia on the mound.