March 16, 2012
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - San Diego State came back from an early five-run deficit to take a lead midway through the game, but was unable to hold on as New Mexico rallied to defeat the Aztecs, 11-9, Friday night at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque. With the win the Lobos improved to 6-10 while SDSU saw its record fall to 9-9 in what was the 2012 Mountain West opener for both squads.
Over the course of the contest, a pair of San Diego State errors would lead to six unearned runs for the Lobos and play a large part in the outcome.
New Mexico scored a run in the opening inning as Josh Melendez's double that scored DJ Peterson, who had singled with two outs. It was the first of five hits on the night for Peterson, who would connect for home solo runs in both the fifth and sixth innings. It was also the beginning of trend that saw the Lobos score nine of their 11 in the runs in the contest with two out.
In the bottom of the second, a two-out Aztec throwing error led to four unearned runs as the three hits and walk that followed gave the home side a 5-0 lead.
San Diego State got its offense going in the top of third, scoring three times to cut into the Lobo advantage. Cody Smith's bases-loaded double to center scored Matt Muñoz and Greg Allen, who had singled and been hit by pitch ahead of him. The third run came on a sacrifice fly by Spencer Thornton.
After the home side answered with a run in the bottom of the inning, the Aztecs tied the contest in the next frame as they added three runs to make it a 6-6 game. SDSU got RBI from Evan Potter (single), Allen (sac bunt) and Tim Zier (single) in the inning.
The Aztecs took the lead with three more runs in the top of the fifth that were driven in by Potter, Muñoz and Allen as they grabbed a 9-6 lead. But Peterson's first home in the bottom of the inning was followed by a pair of unearned runs to tie the game once against at 9-9.
That ended the evening for starter Michael Cederoth, who left the games in favor of senior reliever Mike Hachadorian. Over his 4.2 innings of work, Cederoth surrendered nine runs (three earned) on nine hits with three walks and two strikeouts.
In the next inning, New Mexico struck for a pair of runs against Hachadorian, who would take the loss to fall to 2-1 on the season. UNM reliever Josh Walker (2-1) would be credited with the victory with Gera Sanchez pitching the final inning to notch his second save.
Freshman catcher Seby Zavala led San Diego State on the night with four hits including a double while teammate Matt Muñoz recorded three hits, an RBI and scored twice. Greg Allen, Cody Smith and Evan Potter also drive in two runs apiece.
San Diego State and New Mexico will continue their weekend series on Saturday (Match 17) with a contest scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. (MT) start at Isotopes Park.