Feb. 23, 2008
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State bounced back from a loss earlier in the day at the University of San Diego to claim a 15-2 win over the fifth-ranked Toreros at Tony Gwynn Stadium Saturday evening. The contest was the second game of a day-night doubleheader between the two clubs that saw the Aztecs hand USD their second loss in as many days.
After dropping a 17-11 decision to San Diego in the opening game of the dayin which the teams combined for 25 hits, SDSU (2-1) got stellar pitching from starter Nate Solow and reliever J.R. Murphy. The twosome held the Toreros (1-2) in check on three hits with both runs scored by the visitors being of the unearned variety. In the mean time, the Aztec offense continued its hot hitting as it totaled 18 hits off five San Diego hurlers.
After a scoreless first inning in which Solow and USD starter Matt Couch retired the side in order, the visitors got on the board in the top of the second that began with a walk to Victor Sanchez, who promptly stole second base. On a third strike to the next batter, SDSU catcher Bubba Ruddy's toss back to the mound went over Murphy's head allowing Sanchez to break for third base. Shortstop Troy Hanzawa charged the ball and attempted to throw to third, but his errant toss past the bag allowed Sanchez to score to give USD a 1-0 lead.
The Toreros' advantage was short-lived, however, as San Diego State score four times in the bottom of the inning on RBI hits by Cameron Johnson, Ruddy (a double), Brandon Decker and Brett Tanos. The Aztecs added three more to their total in the both the third and fourth innings to extend their lead to 10-1 as Couch ended his evening after 3.2 innings. The Torero senior was touched up for 10 runs (nine earned) on 10 hits as he took the loss to fall to 0-1.
Solow (1-0), meanwhile, allowed a Torero runner in each frame from the third through fifth, but only one advanced as far as second base. The sophomore lefty from Albuquerque went 5.1 innings, giving up both USD runs (the second being an unearned marker in the sixth) on a pair of hits with six strikeouts. Senior J.R. Murphy, who came on in the sixth in relief of Solow, finished the final 3.2 innings, allowing one hit and striking out three. In the process, he picked up his first save.
Every starter in the Aztecs had at least one hit on the night led by three apiece from Garett Green and Troy Hanzawa. Green, who had four hits including a pair of homers in the early game, tallied a single, double and triple with three RBI and three runs scored. Hanzawa, whose three safeties included a double, also drove in three runs and scored twice.
The games marked the season starting debut of outfielder Cameron Johnson and Brandon Decker, both of whom saw significant playing time a year ago. Johnson chipped in with a pair of hits, two RBI and two runs scored while Decker went 1-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.
San Diego and San Diego State will conclude their four-game weekend series with a contest at USD's Cunningham Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 24, at 1:00 p.m. (PST).