April 3, 2011
SAN DIEGO - After a six-run first inning, San Diego State's offense was held in check and its pitchers struggled with control in an 11-7 loss to Oral Roberts in the rubber game of their three-game weekend series Sunday afternoon.
Aztec right-hander Bryan Crabb, making his first start since March 13 after two recent stellar relief outings, was touched up for a pair of runs in the opening frame when he issued a pair of base on balls and a two-out two-run double. The two walks were a sign of things to come for SDSU pitchers all afternoon.
The Aztecs (9-19) wasted little time in responding in the bottom of the first, scoring six times on three hits, two walks and a hit batter. Cody Slader's two-out bases-loaded single tied the game at 2-2 and that was followed by Kyle Hayes' double that gave SDSU a 3-2 lead. Then came the big hit of the inning, a three run homer to right by Cody Smith. It was the freshman outfielder's first of the year and put the home side up 6-2.
Crabb's control troubles, however, continued in the top of the second when he loaded the bases on a walk, single and fielder's choice. After walking the ensuing batter to force in ORU's third run of the game, his day was over as John Pecoraro was called in from the bullpen.
The junior right-hander uncorked a wild pitch to score a run before reloading the bases. Another walk two batters later made it a 6-5 contest and a two run double scored two more runs to give the Golden Eagles (10-11) the lead at 7-6, an advantage they would not relinquish the rest of the way. Steven Moranda came on to get the final two outs without further damage.
Pecoraro (0-1) was eventually be tagged with the loss as Oral Roberts' seventh run of the contest would appear on his final stat line.
San Diego State would go on to utilize a total of eight pitchers on the afternoon with each giving up at least one walk. Of the total of 15 free passes issued by Aztec hurlers, seven would score with another runner crossing the plate who had been hit by pitch.
After SDSU's six-run first inning, ORU brought on Dan Martony in relief of starter Brad Fisher to start the second inning. Martony proved highly effective over the next six innings, giving up a lone run on six hits with one walk and four strikeouts. His effort was enough to earn him his first win of the season as he moved his record to 1-0.
The Aztecs had at least one runner each in every inning against Martony, but were only able to capitalize for a single run in the sixth courtesy of doubles by Cody Smith and Tim Zier.
Zier finished with three hits including the RBI double while Smith had the double, home run and three runs batted in. Freshman Cody Slader also contributed as pair of hits and drove home two runs. The Aztecs out-hit the Golden Eagles 9-8, but the walks proved to be the difference in the contest.
Up next for San Diego State is a short tip north to take on Long Beach State on Tuesday, April 5, with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Blair field.