Feb. 18, 2011
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State found itself facing an early deficit and was unable recover as it dropped its 2011 season opener to Winthrop by a score of 14-9. The contest was also the first of the year for the Eagles, who used 12 hits and seven walks to lead from start to finish.
The visitors came out swinging in the top of the first against SDSU sophomore Bryan Crabb, scoring four runs on four hits and a walk. The big blow in the inning was a two-out bases-loaded double by Brett Thomas that brought home three runs. Thomas would end his day with three hits and five runs batted in.
San Diego State, which started five true freshmen and a first-year JC transfer, responded with three runs in the bottom of the first. Back-to-back RBI doubles by Brandon Meredith and Jomel Torres plus a run-scoring fielder's choice off the bat of Cody Smith got the Aztecs right back into the game at 4-3.
The Eagles, however, added four runs to their total in the top of the second to extend their advantage to 8-3. Eddie Rohan's two-run triple was the third of four two-out hits that allowed Winthrop to score its runs. All eight of the Eagle's runs over the opening two frames came with two out.
Trailing by five, the Aztecs then used the long ball in an effort to get back into the contest. A two-run shot by Brandon Meredith in the fourth was followed two innings later by a solo shot to left by Denny Vigo. It was Vigo's first collegiate at-bat as the freshman catcher homered in a pinch-hitting role to make it an 8-6 game.
But that's as close as SDSU would get the rest of the way as Winthrop put up three runs in both the seventh and eighth innings to seal the victory.
Eagle reliever Mitchell Knox, who came on in the fourth and went two innings, was credited with the win. SDSU's Crabb took the loss after tossing three innings and allowing the eight runs on nine hits with a walk and two strikeouts.
Meredith finished with three hits (including a double and homer), three RBI and three run scores while freshman shortstop Cody Slader tallied three hits in four plate appearances.
Up next for the Aztecs is a game against fourth-ranked Vanderbilt scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Saturday evening (Feb. 19) at Tony Gwynn Stadium. Prior to that contest, the University of San Diego will face the Commodores at 3:00 p.m. on SDSU's field.
With inclement weather in the forecast, fans are encouraged to call the Aztec baseball/softball hotline at (619) 594-7464 for the latest game status.