Feb. 29, 2008
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State got fine pitching performances from southpaws Nate Solow and Brandon Pullen, but the offense was unable to overcome a pair of unearned runs as the 22nd-ranked Aztecs fell to No. 5 Missouri, 3-1, Friday evening at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The loss ended a four-game winning streak for SDSU, which dropped to 5-2 on the season. Missouri, which had defeated Cal, 7-5, earlier in the day as part of the USD Tournament, improved to 5-1.
Aztec sophomore Nate Solow pitched well enough to win, going seven innings and allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out nine and walking none. The unearned run proved to be the difference for the Aztec lefty as he was saddled with his first loss to even his record at 1-1.
Missouri starter Ian Berger was also excellent on the mound for the Tigers, working 7.1 innings and giving up one run on six hits, striking out five and walking none. His effort was enough to allow him to pick up the victory and up his record to 1-0.
The visitors opened the scoring in the top of third with the help of an Aztec miscue. A two-out hit to right by Ryan Lollis was bobbled by right fielder Cory Vaughn, allowing Lollis to advance to second. He promptly came home on Trevor Coleman's single to center.
San Diego State answered right back in the bottom of the frame as Troy Hanzawa hammered a ball over the left field fence to knot the score at 1-1.
Missouri, however, immediately regained the advantage in the next inning on back-to-back singles by Aaron Senne and Greg Folgia that were cashed in on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Kyle Mach. Berger, meanwhile, retired13 of the 14 hitters he faced after Hanzawa's home run.
The Tigers added an unearned insurance run in the top of the eighth off reliever Brandon Pullens when Lollis' grounder to second base was thrown past first for a two-base error. Two batters later, Jacob Priday singled up the middle to give Missouri a 3-1 lead. Pullens went the final two innings, walking none and striking out three.
The Aztecs finally got to Berger in the bottom of the inning as a leadoff single by T.J. Thomas and an error on Brandon Decker's grounder to short put runners on first and third with no outs. Following a pop out to short by Brett Tanos, the Tigers called on Nick Tepesch to relieve Berger on the mound. The freshman right-hander immediately induced Hanzawa to ground into a double play to end the threat.
Scooter Hicks came on to toss the ninth for the Tigers, and after a one-out walk to Garett Green, struck out the final two batters to nail down the win and claim his second save of the season.
Aztec third baseman Nick Romero was the lone SDSU player with more than one hit as he finished with two of the team's six safeties on the night.
San Diego State continues play in the USD Tournament on Saturday, March 1, when it hosts Cal at 6:00 p.m. (PST) at Tony Gwynn Stadium. In the first game of the day, Cal Poly will take on Fresno State at 1:00 p.m.