Feb. 17, 2012
SAN DIEGO - Washington scored four times in the top of the eighth inning to erase a two-run deficit as it went on to defeat San Diego State, 7-4, Friday night at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The game was the season opener for both schools.
The loss spoiled a fine season debut performance by SDSU sophomore Cole Swanson. The left-hander rom Torrey Pines HS allowed a run on five hits over his six innings of work, striking out four and walking only one along the way. He departed the contest holding a 3-1 lead, but could only watch as the Aztec bullpen was unable to secure the victory.
San Diego State opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the fourth. Brad Haynal's leadoff double was followed by a single off the bat of Kevin Muno to put runners at first and third. Steven Pallares then lifted a sacrifice fly to center to bring home Haynal. Muno then advanced to second on a passed ball, went to third on a ground out by Chris Wilson and scored on Greg Allen's single to center.
After the Huskies came back with a run in their half of the fifth, the Aztecs made it a 3-1 game in their half of the seventh/ Allen led off with a walk and was sacrificed to second by Evan Potter's bunt. Cody Smith then single up the middle to restore DSU's two-run lead.
Washington, which had been quiet offensively through the first seven frames, came alive in the top of the eighth to push across four runs, all of which were charged to SDSU freshman left Mike RoBards. A walk and a pair of singles loaded the bases with no outs before RoBards hit Jacob Lamb to bring home the first run of the inning,
Mike Hachadorian came on in relief, but he uncorked a wild pitch to bring in a run and give the Huskies their first lead of the night. After retiring the first two hitters he faced, the senior right-hander surrendered a walks to re-load the bases before Erik Forgione's single to center brought home two more runs to give the visitors a 5-3 advantage.
The Aztec responded with a run in their half of the eighth on singles by Haynal and Muno, a sac bunt by Pallares and a sacrifice fly by Spencer Thornton to make it 5-4.
SDSU's comeback aspirations were shirt-lived, however, as they gifted the huskies a pair of unearned runs in the ninth. Singles by Jayce Ray and Matt Jackson put runners at the corners with one out. Aztec catcher Brad Haynal then caught Ray too far of third. In the ensuing rundown, pitcher Mitch Bluman's toss to Andre Bollar covering third was too high and sailed down the left field line with Ray scoring and Jackson advancing to third. Jackson scored on Ely's sacrifice fly to give Washington the 7-4 lead.
Husky closer Josh Fredenhall gave up a walk in the bottom of the ninth, but the Aztec could not rally. Fredenhall notched the save while teammate Mac Acker picked up the win. SDSU's Mike RoBards took the loss.
Brad Haynal and Kevin Muno finished the night with three tis apiece for San Diego State while center fielder Cody Smith had two.
The Aztecs and Huskies continue their three-game weekend series on Saturday, Feb. 18, with a contest at 6:000 m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.