March 8, 2011
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - For the third straight game, San Diego State saw a lead evaporate when the opponent rallied with a six-run innng as the Aztecs dropped a 12-9 decision to Cal State Northridge Tuesday afternoon at Matador Field. The loss wasted SDSU's best offensive performance since opening weekend as well as a fine pitching performance by freshman Cole Swanson.
With the victory, the Matadors improved to 8-5 while San Diego State saw its record fall to 2-10.
SDSU, which had not hit a home run since opening day, got long balls from Brad Haynal, Dillon Bryant and Chris Wilson as it built an 8-4 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. But just as Connecticut and Oklahoma did this past weekend, Cal State Northridge would put together a six-run rally to erase an Aztec advantage.
Haynal's two-run shot in the top of the second had given the Aztecs a 2-1 lead only to have Northridge score twice in the bottom of the inning to go up 3-2. Those runs came off SDSU starter Bryab Crabb, who did not retire a batter in the second. The sophomore right-hander had another rough outing, givng up three runs (two earned) on four hits with two walks and a strikeout in his one-plus inning.
It was Swanson who would be the pitcher of the day on both sides as he entered the contest in relief of Crabb with the bases loaded and no outs. He proceeded to strike out the side to erase the threat. In the ensuing inning, the Matadors put their first two hitters on base and Swanson again snuffed out the rally by striking out the next three batters.
San Diego State had regained the lead with three runs in the top of the third to go up 6-3 on Bryant's home run and an RBI single by Blair Moore. SDSU eventually extended that advatgae to 8-4 with an RBI triple by Brandon Meredith in the sixth and Wilson's solo homer in the seventh.
Sawanson was lifted after going a seaason-high five innings and finishing the contest giving up a run on five hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. He left the game with the 8-4 lead, but the Aztec bullpen was unable to nail down the win.
Austin Haynal began the seventh on the mound for SDSU, but two singles an a double quickly cut the SDSU lead to three. Sophomore lefty Matt McDaniel was then brought on and he promptly retired the first two batters he faced although one came on a sacrifice fly that made it an 8-6 contest. McDaniel then walked a pair of hitters on eight pitches to set the stage for a grand slam home run by Drew Muren that put the home side up 10-8.
The Aztecs answered with a run in the eighth on Jomel Torres' double that scored Merddith from first, but CSUN added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the frame as Chris Allen hit a two-run homer off SDSU releiver John Pecoraro.
Matador hurler Josh Goossen-Brown (1-0) was the benficiary of his team's six-run outburst in the seventh as he was credited with his first victory of the season. Ryan Jaurez picked up the save, his second, after tossing the final two innings. SDSU's Matthew McDaniel was saddeld with the loss to fall to 0-1.
Meredith and Torres both finished the day with two hits, two walks and two runs scored including an extra base hit apiece. In additon to his first collegiate home run, Bryant also drew a pair of walks and scored three times.
Things don't get any easier for San Diego State as it now reutrns home for a four-game series against 15tt-ranked Arkansas that gets underway with a contest on Thursday, March 10, at 6:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.