May 4, 2011
SAN DIEGO - Michael Hill drove in what proved to be the winning run with a two-out single in the top of the 12th as Long Beach State recorded a 7-6 victory over San Diego State Tuesday night at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The win spoiled a late comeback effort by the Aztecs, who had scored a pair of runs with two out in the bottom of the ninth to send the contest to extra frames.
But it was a night of missed opportunities for SDSU as it left a total of 20 men on base over the course of the game. During the first nine innings, the Aztecs stranded at least two runners on eight occasions and only a double play in the fifth kept them from adding to that total.
San Diego State (15-30) took the early lead with a run in the second on an RBI single by Cody Smith, the first of his three hits on the evening. They had a chance to do further damage, but a one-out bases-loaded threat was ended by a double play.
In what was to be a pattern throughout the remainder of the contest, each time the Aztecs scored the 49ers would respond in the top of the next inning. LBSU took its first lead with a pair of markers in the top of the third. When SDSU scored in the bottom of the third to tie the game, LBSU put a run on the board in the top of the fourth. And so it went until the visitors enjoyed a 6-4 advantage heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Long Beach State (22-19) closer Eddie Magallon retired the first two hitters he faced before SDSU began its comeback. Smith walked and advanced to second when Pat Colwell was hit by pitch. A single to center by Jomel Torres brought Smith home before Chris Wilson got a base hit up the middle to score pinch runner Corey Black with the tying run.
In the 10th the 49ers brought on their ninth pitcher of the game in right-hander Matt Johnson, who struck out the side in each of his first two innings although SDSU put two runners on against him in the 11th.
The Aztecs, meanwhile, had Craig Rasmussen on the hill for the eight through the 11th before he gave way to Austin Haynal in the top of the 12th. Haynal was greeted by a single off the bat of Mike Marjama, who was sacrificed to second by Ino Patron. After a pop-up for the second out and a walk, Hill hit an 0-2 pitch into center field to drive home the game winner.
San Diego State had a chance in the bottom of the inning when Ben Vasko singled with one out and went to second on an infield grounder. But Johnson got Mitch Bluman to line to center field for the final out. His three innings of relief work earned Johnson the win as he improved to 3-1. Haynal (0-1) took the loss in his first decision of the season.
In addition to Cody Smith, Aztec first baseman Jomel Torres also enjoyed a three-hit night with a double, RBI and two runs scored. Three others tallied two hits apiece including Pat Colwell, Ben Vasko and Tim Zier. SDSU out-hit the 49ers 15-11, but were unable to find the clutch hit when they needed one.
San Diego State will now resume Mountain West Conference play as it travels to Salt Lake City to take on Utah in a three-game series that beings on Friday, May 6, at noon (MT) at Spring Mobile Park.