April 6, 2011
LONG BEACH STATE, Calif. - Five Long Beach State pitchers limited San Diego State to three hits on a 3-1 win over the Aztecs Tuesday night at Blair Field in Long Beach. With the win, the 49ers improved to 15-12 while SDSU fell to 9-20.
Looking to give a number of pitchers a mid-week tune-up, San Diego State utilized eight hurlers in the contest. The threesome of starter Craig Rasmussen plus relievers Austin Haynal and Philip Walby held LBSU to just one hit over the first through fourth frames.
Meanwhile Long Beach State starter Jake Stassi along with reliever Ryan Strufing kept the Aztecs hitless during the first six innings. Strufing (12-0), who would be credited with the win at the end of the night, retired all nine batters he faced from the fourth through the sixth.
The 49ers broke the scoreless deadlock with a pair of runs in the fifth against SDSU's Mike Hachadorian (0-2). The junior right-hander got into a jam by loading the bases on a single and two walks to begin the inning before giving way to Matthew McDaniel.
A sacrifice fly by Brennan Metzger and two-out RBI single by Jeff McNeil staked the home side to a 2-0 lead. It was all the scoring they would need although they would add one more to their total later in the contest.
Long Beach State's bid for the first no-hitter in school history ended in the seventh when Chris Wilson legged out an infield single to third. Brad Haynal followed with a solid base hit to right and the Aztecs looked to be in business with runners on first and second with one out.
But the defensive play of the night would cut SDSU's rally short. A sinking line drive to left center by Cody Slader that looked destined get the Aztec on the board was caught with a full out diving effort by 49er left fielder Jeff McNeil, who was able to throw to second to double up Wilson and end the inning.
Long Beach State added a run in the bottom of the inning before the Aztecs finally got on the board with an unearned run in their half of the eighth. With one out, Evan Potter walked and was safe at second when Tim Zier's grounder to the mound was thrown into center field by 49er pitch Nate Underwood. Brandon Meredith followed with a single to right to score Potter and end the 49ers' shutout bid.
Closer Eddie Magallon was called in from the bullpen and he closed out the inning without further damage and retired the side in order in the ninth to record his seventh save of the season.
Up next for San Diego State is a three-game series against Mountain West Conference foe Utah that gets underway with a contest on Friday (April 8) at 6:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.