Feb. 19, 2012
SAN DIEGO - Cody Smith's bases-loaded double in the bottom of the ninth drove home two runs and propelled San Diego State to a 10-9 victory in the series finale against the University of Washington Sunday afternoon at Tony Gwynn Stadium. With the win the Aztec improved to 1-2 on the season while Washington fell to 2-1.
The game was similar to the first two in the series as SDSU took the early lead only to see the Huskies rally and go ahead late in the contest. This time, however, the Aztecs had the answers at the end of the game.
San Diego State scored in four of the first five innings and held a 6-2 lead after six. Five of those runs came off UW starter Austin Voth, who last just 2.1 innings. Along the way the home side got RBIs from Ryan Muno, Brad Haynal, Spencer Thornton, Jake Romanski and John Spirk.
Sophomore right-hander TJ Kendzora provided the Aztec with their third quality start of the weekend-opening set against the Huskies. Over the first six frames he allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits with a walk and six strikeouts.
But just as in the first two contests, the SDSU bullpen was unable to hold the lead when Kendzora departed after giving up a leadoff single in the top of the seventh. The Huskies went on to score six runs in that inning as they sent 11 men to the plate against a pair of SDSU relievers to take an 8-6 lead.
The lead didn't; last long, however, as the Aztecs answered with two runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 8-8. Two-out RBI singles by John Spirk and Matt Muñoz put the teams on even footing heading into the final two frames.
After a scoreless eighth, Washington took the lead in the top of the ninth when Branden Berry tripled with one out and Michael Camporeale's sacrifice fly to center brought home the go-ahead run off SDSU freshman right-hander Michael Cederoth.
In the bottom of the frame, consecutive single by Greg Allen, Steven Pallares and Matt Muñoz loaded the bases and set the stage for Smith's heroics. The Aztec centerfielder hit a 1-0 pitch into the gap in right center to bring home Allen and Pallares. The rally made a winner of Cederoth (1-0) while UW reliever Nick Palewicz (0-1), who had come on to start the inning, took the loss.
Junior first baseman John Spirk, making his first start, had three hits and drove in a pair for runs for the Aztecs while Brad Haynel, Jake Romanski and Matt Muñoz recorded a pair of hits apiece.
Up next San Diego State is a short trip north to face UC Riverside on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Riverside Sports Complex at 6:00 p.m.