Baseball

Late Rally Sends Aztecs Past No. 15 Arkansas 3-2

Late Rally Sends Aztecs Past No. 15 Arkansas 3-2Late Rally Sends Aztecs Past No. 15 Arkansas 3-2

March 12, 2011

Box Score

SAN DIEGO - Cody Slader's two-out single in the bottom of the ninth drove home a pair of runs as San Diego State came from behind to defeated No. 15 Arkansas, 3-2, Saturday evening at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The win put an ended to SDSU's six-game losing streak as they improved to 3-12.

As much as Slader was the man of the moment at the game's end, it was Aztec starting pitcher Corey Black whole stole the spotlight during a majority of the contest. The sophomore from nearby Mission Bay HS went eight innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on eight hits. Along the way he recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts against the nationally-ranked Razorbacks although he would not be around at the end of the contest to figure in the decision.

The visitors opened the scoring with a run in the third on an RBI double by designated hitter Matt Reynolds. The Aztecs, meanwhile put two runners on in both the first and second innings against Arkansas starter Brandon Moore, but were unable to capitalize. Moore would retire 10 in a row from the second through fifth innings, but he too would no be in the game at its conclusion

Had the Aztecs gone on to lose the game, they would have felt victimized as an unusual play call led to Arkansas's second run. In the bottom of the fourth, the Razorbacks (12-2) had men on second and third with two out. A pitch by Black hit the dirt in front of the plate, bounced and hit catcher Chris Wilson in the chin before ending up inside his chest protector.

Because the ball became lodged in his equipment, Wilson was called for a catcher's balk and both runners advanced allowing the run to score. Black then got out of the inning but was charged with the unearned run that would not have scored otherwise.

Trailing 2-0, San Diego State answered with a run in its half of the sixth to cut the deficit in half. Jared Hunt led off with a single to right, stole second and then scored on a double to right center off the bat of Jomel Torres.

In the bottom of the ninth with reliever Randall Fant on the mound for UA, a double by Brad Haynal and a hit by pitch to Brandon Meredith put two runners on for the Aztecs. With Evan Potter on as a pinch runner for Haynal, Chris Wilson's sac bunt moved the runners up to second and third.

Arkansas closer Nolan Sanburn was called on and he struck out the next batter for the second out. Slader then took on the role of hero as he sent a 1-1 offering up the middle to drive home Potter and Meredith to end the game in SDSU's favor.

TJ Kendzora, who had come on in the top of the ninth in relief of Black, was credited with the win to even his record at 2-2 while UA's Fant (0-1) took the loss. SDSU's Haynal and Slader finished the night with two hits apiece as did second baseman Tim Zier.

San Diego State and Arkansas will conclude their four-game series on Sunday with a contest scheduled fro a 1:00 p.m. start at Tony Gwynn Stadium.