March 4, 2012
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State spotted San Francisco a run in the opening inning before scoring six times over the second through sixth as the Aztecs defeated the Dons, 6-1, on day three of the annual Aztec Invitational presented by the Sheraton Mission Valley. With its third straight victory SDSU evened its record at 6-6 while USF saw its record drop to 6-5.
Junior right-hander Travis Pitcher made his third start of the season for San Diego State and was touched for the Dons' run in the top of the first on a walk, single and wild pitch. After that, Pitcher (1-0) held the Dons scoreless on one hit over the next five frames as he pitched well enough to record his first win of the season.
The Aztecs tied the game in their half of the second on an RBI single by Steven Pallares that was preceded by a walk to Spencer Thornton and single by Josh Romanski.
They then took the lead for good with three runs in the next inning courtesy of four hits and an RBI fielder's choice along with a USF error. Greg Allen, Matt Muñoz and Cody Smith singled to load the bases before Thornton's base hit brought home Allen to give SDSU a 2-1 lead.
Romanski then hit a grounder to the second baseman that turned into a force out at second with Muñoz scoring. When the shortstop's throw to first in an attempt to complete the double play was wild, Smith came home with the third run of the inning to make it a 4-1 contest.
SDSU added a run in its half of the fifth on a pinch-hit RBI single by Jomel Torres. The Aztec s then completed the scoring in the sixth when Muñoz led off with a triple and scored on a double by Smith.
San Diego sophomore Justin Hepner came in relief of Pitcher to start the seventh and tossed the final three innings to record his first save. San Francisco starter Abe Bobb, who gave up the first five runs (three earned), took the loss as his record fell to 2-1.
The Aztecs finished the night with a total of 15 hits with Greg Allen and Matt Muñoz collecting three apiece.
The Aztec Invitational concludes it four-day run on Sunday (March 4) with the University of San Diego taking on Milwaukee at 10:00 a.m. followed by Cal Poly vs. San Francisco at 1:00 p.m.
San Diego State will face Cal State Northridge in the tourney finale in a contest scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m.at Tony Gwynn Stadium.