March 19, 2011
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State saw a nine-run lead slip away before rallying late to defeat New Mexico, 13-10, Saturday afternoon at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The win was the second straight for the Aztecs over the Lobos in their weekend conference-opening series.
It looked like it would be SDSU's day from the outset as it put nine runs on the board in the bottom of the first inning, sending 13 men to the plate against a pair of UNM pitchers. Seven hits, two walks and one error allowed the Aztecs (5-14; 2-0 MWC) to forge a 9-0 advantage. Included in those hits were two-run doubles by Tim Zier and Brandon Meredith.
New Mexico starter Jake McCasland retired only one of the first eight hitters he faced as he would be charged with the inning's first seven runs on four hits and two walks. Reliever Bobby Mares faired little better as he gave up a sac fly and three straight hits (including both doubles) before getting out of the trouble.
After that inning, Mares showed why he was brought into the game as he shut down the SDSU offense over the next five innings allowing just a pair of hits, a walk and a hit batter.
The Lobos (3-15; 0-2 MWC) would need a big effort to recover from their early deficit and they showed they were up to the task. A run in the second began the prolonged comeback and the visitors went on to score in every inning from the fourth through eight to take a late 10-9 lead.
UNM's runs came against four Aztec pitchers. Starter Corey Black lasted only into the fourth inning as he ended the afternoon with 3.2 innings pitched allowing four runs on seven hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Relievers Ryan Wynveen, Bryan Crabb and Craig Rasmussen were also victimized during the Lobo's offensive surge.
With the momentum on its side and reliever Richard Olson on the mound, New Mexico looked comfortable in the bottom of the eighth as the first two Aztec batters of the inning were retired. But then it was the Aztecs' turn to strike quickly.
Brandon Meredith singled and went to send when his hit to left was misplayed. Jomel Torres followed with an RBI single to tie the contest at 10-10, but SDSU was far from finished. Chris Wilson blasted a triple to center fielder to give the Aztecs the lead before Brad Haynal added a pair of insurance runs with a home run deep over the left field fence.
Craig Rasmussen, who had given up the Lobo's final two runs in the eighth, tossed a shutout ninth and was credited with the win to even his record at 1-1. UNM's Olson took the loss to see his record fall to 1-2.
For the second straight day, SDSU second baseman Tim Zier recorded three hits and had a pair of runs batted in while Chris Wilson added three hits including a double and triple along with two RBI and two runs scored. Three other Aztecs finished with two hits and two RBI including Brandon Meredith, Jomel Torres and Brad Haynal.
New Mexico and San Diego State will conclude their weekend series with a game on Sunday (March 20) scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start at Tony Gwynn Stadium.