March 14, 2009
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State scored four early runs and Stephen Strasburg struck out 14 over seven innings of work as the Aztec defeated UNLV, 4-3, Friday night at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The game was played before a gathering of 2,102, the third-largest crowd ever for an Aztec baseball game.
SDSU won for the fifth time in its last six games to improve to 9-6 while the Rebels saw an eight-game win streak halted while dropping to 11-4. The contest was the Mountain West Conference opener for both schools.
San Diego State wasted little time in jumping on top as it pushed three runs across in the bottom of the first. Pat Colwell led off with a single and advanced to second on Brandon Decker's sacrifice bunt. Brandon Meredith then drove Colwell home with a single to left.
Cory Vaughn's single moved Meredith to third, and after Vaughn stole second, designated hitter T.J. Thomas came through with a two-out two-run single to make it a 3-0 Aztec advantage.
The Aztecs added to their lead in the next frame when Erik Castro connected for his first home run of the season, a solo shot deep over the right center field fence.
Junior right-hander Stephen Strasburg made his fourth start of the year for SDSU, going seven innings and giving up a pair of runs on six hits. Along the way he struck out 14 and walked a batter. Strasburg struck out every player in the Rebel lineup at least once.
After SDSU senior lefty Chase Thomas retired the side in order in the eighth, the Rebels rallied for an unearned run off closer Addison Reed in the ninth to make it 4-3, but the Aztec sophomore was able to close out the contest and record his fifth save of the season.
Castro and Colwell finished with two hits apiece for San Diego State while Meredith and Vaughn each had a base hit and scored a run.
San Diego State and UNLV continue their three-game weekend series on Saturday (March 14) at 1:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.