Feb. 28, 2008
SAN DIEGO - Troy Hanzawa's RBI triple in the bottom of the eight inning spoiled a spirited comeback by visiting Cal Poly and gave the Aztecs a 9-8 win over the Mustangs Thursday evening at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The contest, which saw San Diego State win for the fourth straight time and improve to 5-1, was SDSU's opener in this weekend's USD Tournament. With the loss, Cal Poly evened its early-season record at 2-2.
The game looked to be easy pickings for the Aztecs after they sent 12 men to the plate and scored six runs in the first inning off Mustang starter Grant Theophilus. Five hits, three walks and a hit batter allowed SDSU to grab a 6-1 lead after the visitors has scored once in the top of the frame.
With the No. 1 starter, Stephen Strasburg, on the hill, it appeared San Diego State was in good shape to go on to the victory. Cal Poly, however, had other ideas as it scored three times in the third to make it a two-run game. All three runs came after two outs as three singles and a double helped the Mustangs close the gap.
The Aztecs appeared to regain control with single markers in the fourth and fifth innings. In the fourth, Brandon Decker's RBI single brought home Erik Castro from second. In the next frame, a two-out base hit by Cory Vaughn scored Garett Green from third to extend SDSU's lead to 8-4.
Cal Poly completed it comeback effort in the top of the eighth, batting around and scoring four times off a trio of Aztec relievers to knot the contest at 8-8. An RBI single by Ryan Lee was followed by a two-run double off the bat of pinch hitter Luke Yoder. Kyle Smith then dumped a single into shallow right field to bring home Yoder with the tying run.
The Mustangs brought on closer Kevin Castner in the bottom of the inning to hold the Aztecs at bay. After getting the first two batters he faced, Castner walked catcher Brett Tanos before giving up Hanzawa's game-winning three-bagger.
SDSU closer Addison Reed (1-0), who had come on with two outs in the eighth, tossed a one-two-three ninth inning and was credited with the victory. Castner suffered the loss as he fell to 0-1.
Hanzawa ended his night with three hits, two RBI, a run scored and a walk as did teammate Cory Vaughn. Brandon Decker had a pair of hits and drove in two runs in his second start of the season.
Up next for San Diego State is a meeting with fifth-ranked Missouri on Friday, Feb. 29, at 6:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium. As part of the USD Tournament, Missouri will meet Cal at 1:00 p.m. in the first game of the day on the Aztecs' home field.