March 15, 2009
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State got season highs in runs and hits plus another excellent pitching outing from its starter as it defeated UNLV, 15-2, Sunday afternoon at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The win completed a three-game sweep of the Rebels in what was the Mountain West Conference opening series for both teams.
SDSU (11-6, 3-0 MWC) opened the game with a pair of runs in the first on a bases-loaded two-run single by Cory Vaughn. It was the first of four hits on the day for the Aztec right fielder as he would finish with two singles, a triple, home run and seven runs batted in. He also drew a walk and scored twice.
The Rebels (11-6, 0-3 MWC) answered back quickly off Aztec starter Tyler Lavigne, tying the game with a two runs (one earned) in the top of the second that were scored on a passed ball and sacrifice fly. After that inning, Lavigne faced just 11 batters over the next three frames. The only Rebel base runners came on an error in the third and an infield single in the fifth.
UNLV hurler Corey Hales (1-2) also settled down after the first inning, keeping the Aztec in check from the second through fourth. But it all came undone in the bottom of the fifth when San Diego State exploded for seven runs on four hits and four bases on balls off Hales and a pair of Rebel relievers.
The big hits in the frame were a two-run triple by Vaughn and a two-run single by Brandon Decker. The Aztecs also got an RBI single from Josh Chasse and scored runs on a wild pitch and passed ball.
With a 9-2 lead, Lavigne was removed from the contest in the top of the sixth. He would be credited with the win to improve to 3-0 after allowing the two runs (one earned) on three hits while striking out eight and walking two.
SDSU would add a run in the seventh when Chasse was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, then tack on four more in the seventh on Brandon Meredith's run-scoring single and the three-run homer by Vaughn. The Aztecs' final run came on Chasse's solo homer in the bottom of the eighth, the first of his collegiate career.
San Diego State's 15 runs and 14 hits were both season team highs. In addition to Vaughn's four hits, four other Aztecs had two hits apiece including Pat Colwell, Decker, Meredith and Chasse.
After an off-day on Monday, the Aztecs will play five games over five days beginning with a two-game set against Kansas that begins on Tuesday, March 17, at 6:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium. SDSU will then host Brigham Young for a three-game conference series that gets underway on Thursday.