April 14, 2009
SAN DIEGO - Former San Diego State baseball player Brandon Villalobos was killed in a dune buggy accident over the weekend near Phelan, Calif. He was 23.
Villalobos and his passenger, Jerry Bruycker, 48, both perished in the accident when the vehicle struck a dirt berm, became airborne and rolled several times, according to the San Bernardino coroner's office.
Villalobos earned a letter with the Aztecs last season after making two appearances, striking out three in an inning of work. Villalobos, who did not play at SDSU in 2007 while recovering from arm surgery, transferred to San Diego State from Chaffey Junior College, where he compiled a 3-1 record with a 2.87 ERA en route to being named a 2006 first-team all-Foothill League selection. Villalobos spent the 2004 and 2005 seasons with Long Beach State.
Recently, Villalobos signed a contract to play for the Gateway Grizzlies in Illinois of the Frontier League.
There will be a moment of silence prior to Tuesday's game with UCLA to honor Villalobos and the Aztecs will wear a special decal on their baseball helmets for the rest of the season.