Feb. 19, 2011
SAN DIEGO - Vanderbilt scored four runs in the top of the ninth to thwart a spirited comeback by San Diego State as the fourth-ranked Commodores claimed a 7-3 victory over the Aztecs Saturday afternoon at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The win was the second in two games for the visitors while SDSU saw its record drop to 0-2.
The contest was scoreless after three innings as SDSU starter Ethan Miller and Vandy's Kevin Ziomek allowed one hit apiece in the early going. That changed, however, as the Commodores put up single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth frames to take a 3-0 lead.
The Aztecs, who were limited to three hits over the first five innings, began their comeback effort by scoring twice in their half of the sixth. Freshman Tim Zier led off with a single to right and Pat Colwell then reached on a throwing error by Vanderbilt third baseman Bryan Johns. A walk to Brandon Meredith loaded the bases and SDSU scored runs on an RBI single by Chris Wilson and sacrifice fly by Cody Slader.
San Diego State knotted the game at 3-3 with a run in the eighth. An inning-opening walk to Colwell and a double to right center by Jomel Torres put runners on second and third with one out. Wilson then ground a single through the left side to score Colwell, but Torres was thrown out at the plate to end the rally.
In the top of the ninth, Mike Yastrzemski led off with a drag bunt single, was sacrificed to second and stole third before coming home on a single by left fielder Tony Kemp. That hit spelled the end of the afternoon for SDSU reliever Craig Rasmussen, who had shut out the Commodores on one hit over the previous 2.2 innings.
With Mike Hachadorian on the mound, Vandy then got a walk, two singles and a passed ball to add three more runs to its total and make the score 7-3. Commodore closer Navery Moore came on in the bottom of the frame and retired the side in order to secure the win.
Mike Lamm (1-0), who got the final two outs in the bottom of the eight, was the beneficiary of his team's offensive outburst as he was credited with the win. Rasmussen (0-1) took the loss despite a solid relief outing.
SDSU's Chris Wilson finished the day with three hits including a double along with a pair of runs batted in. Tim Zier add two singles and scored once while Cody Slader recorded a single and RBI.
San Diego State will conclude weekend play when it hosts Winthrop on Sunday, Feb. 20, at 1:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium. With more rain in the forecast, weather updates and the latest game status on Sunday may be found at www.goaztecs.com or by calling the hotline at (619) 594-7464.