April 17, 2010
SAN DIEGO - Jordan Van Hoosier's ground out on a slow roller to third drove in what proved to be the game-winning run in the eighth inning as San Diego State defeated Utah, 4-3, Saturday afternoon at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The play completed a comeback for the Aztecs, who trailed 3-1 midway through the contest. It also made a winner of junior right-hander Steven Moranda (2-1) and gave freshman Corey Black the opportunity to pick up his first save of the season.
Utah got out of the gate quickly, scoring an unearned run in the opening frame. Rick Cornu singled with one out and advanced to second on a passed ball before Nick Kuroczko brought him home with an RBI single.
SDSU wasted little time in tying the score in the bottom of the first as DH Corey Black was hit by pitch and would score after back-to-back singles by Mitch Blackburn and Ryan O'Sullivan, the latter's first of three hits on the afternoon. It marked the ninth time in the past 10 games that San Diego State has scored in the opening frame.
Both Utah starter Rick Anton and Aztec starter Bryan Crabb settled in to keep things scoreless over the next couple innings although neither would be around at the end of the game.
The Utes did make some noise in the fourth as they took a 3-1 lead thanks to a solo home run by C.J. Cron, his 11th of the year, and an RBI single by Cooper Blanc. The score remained that way until the sixth inning.
With two out in the bottom of the sixth, Blair Moore single up the middle and came home when catcher Matt Parker planted a pitch from Anton well over the left field fence to tie the game at 3-3.
The contest then came down to the eighth inning when both teams had chances to go ahead.
In the top of the frame, Utah put runners on first and third with one out before SDSU's Moranda induced Nik Gumeson to hit into an inning-ending double play.
In their half of the inning, the Aztecs loaded the base with one out on a single by O'Sullivan and walks to Moore and Parker. Van Hoosier, on as a pinch hitter, hit a slow roller toward third and the only play was at first base allowing O'Sullivan to score. That run came off Ute closer Brock Duke, who would be charged with the loss in his first decision of the season.
Utah and San Diego State will conclude their three-game series on Sunday (April 18) with a game scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start at Tony Gwynn stadium.