April 9, 2008
SAN DIEGO - C.J. Ziegler's three-run homer capped a five-run third inning for Arizona as the Wildcats went on to defeat San Diego State, 5-2, Wednesday afternoon at Tony Gwynn Stadium. It was the fifth loss in the last six contests for SDSU, which saw its record fall to 18-14. For UA, it was the end of a seven-day five-game road trip as it improved to 17-11 on the year.
Just as it did Tuesday night, San Diego State grabbed the early lead, this time with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning. A single by Nick Romero and a walk to Brett Tanos plus a wild pitch put runners on second and third with two out before Cameron Johnson delivered a two-run single to center.
Those Aztecs runs came off Wildcat starter Eric Berger, who would go on to claim the victory to up his record to 3-2. Despite pitching only three innings, Berger was awarded the win as he was designated to go that distance prior to the game by the Arizona coaching staff.
It didn't take long for UA to respond the SDSU's two-run inning as it tallied all five of its runs on the afternoon in the top of the third off Aztec starter Nate Solow. A single by Bryce Ortega, a walk to Dwight Childs and a single by Bobby Coyle loaded the bases with one out. After a fielding error by third baseman Nick Romero allowed two runs to score, Ziegler stepped up and hit a 3-2 pitch over the left field fence to make it 5-2. It was his 11th homer of the season and helped make a loser of Solow, who dropped to 1-5.
San Diego State had its chances to get back in the game, most notably in the fifth when Brandon Decker was thrown out at the plate attempting to score from second on Troy Hanzawa's single to right. The Aztecs also had a runner on third with less than two out in both the fourth and eighth innings, but failed to cash in on both occasions.
Junior right-hander Ryan Perry came on in the fifth for Arizona and tossed the final 4.1 innings, allowing just a lone hit while striking out five to record his first save.
Hanzawa was the lone Aztec with more than one hit on the day as he notched a pair of singles. SDSU out-hit the Wildcats, 7-6, as the visitors recorded half of their total in the five-run third inning.
San Diego State will now return to Mountain West Conference play as it hosts Utah for a three-game series this weekend beginning with a contest on Friday, April 11, at 6:00 p.m.