Feb. 12, 2011
SAN DIEGO - The 2011 San Diego State Aztec baseball team overcame an early deficit to post a 12-6 victory over a group of former SDSU players in the annual Alumni Game played Saturday afternoon at Tony Gwynn Stadium. Some 38 alums suited up for the contest while over a dozen others were in attendance to renew acquaintances and check out this year's version of the Aztecs.
Prior to the game, a brief ceremony was held to retire the No. 4 jersey of former head coach Jim Dietz, who guided the Aztecs for 31 seasons prior to retiring after the 2002 campaign. Dietz's number was unveiled on the rail beyond the right field fence, the first of what will likely be a number of former players and coaches to be honored by the baseball program. The coach will return in mid-April during the Aztecs' series against TCU to be honored in a formal ceremony at one of the contests against the Horned Frogs that weekend.
As for the game, the alums showed they still had some talent as they jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead against SDSU sophomore pitcher Ethan Miller. Back-to-back singles by Mitch Blackburn and Curt Mendoza with one out in the top of the first set the stage for a fielder's choice from Nick Romero that scored Blackburn with the opening run.
After left-hander Ben Julianel retired the varsity side in order in the bottom of the frame, the Alumni exploded for four more in the top of the second. A single by Jake McLintock and walk to Daryl Harang preceded a two-run double by shortstop Javier Ramos. Quintin Berry then blasted a shot over the right field fence, a two-run dinger that gave the alums a 5-0 lead.
From that point, however, the Aztecs took control of the game as they would go on to score in five of the final six frames of what would be a seven-inning contest. Veteran outfielders Brandon Meredith and Pat Colwell led the offensive charge for the home team over those final six innings.
Meredith, a preseason, second-team All-American, went 3-for-3 with a double, RBI and three runs scored, Colwell, a fifth-year senor who redshirted last season, contributed a pair of hits, two runs and a run batted in.
Among the Aztec newcomers, second baseman Tim Zier and outfielder Cody Smith had two hits apiece. Zier recorded an RBI and scored once while Smith had a single, double and a run scored.
In addition, rookie catchers Ben Vasko and Sean Stepina drove in two runs apiece. Vasko had a two-out two-run single in the third that drew the Aztecs to within a run at 5-4. Stepina drove in his two runs with a two-out triple in the sixth that gave SDSU a three-run cushion after the alums had drawn to within a run at 7-6.
Despite giving up the five early runs, Ethan Miller picked up the win after tossing five innings and allowing six hits. Jon Berger, a member of last year's SDSU squad, was saddled with the loss after he was tagged for three runs in the fourth that gave the Aztecs a 7-5 lead.
San Diego State will open its 2011 season next Friday, Feb. 18, with a contest against Winthrop at 6:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.