March 9, 2012
SAN DIEGO - St. Mary's scored three runs in the eighth inning to break a 2-2 deadlock en route to a 6-3 win over San Diego State Friday night in the opening game of the three-game series between the teams this weekend at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The loss ended a three-game win streak for SSDU, which saw it record fall to 8-7 while the Gaels improved to 9-5.
San Diego took the early lead with a run on the bottom of the first as Greg Allen led off with a double to right center, advanced to third on a ground out to second by Tim Zier and scored and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Cody Smith.
SDSU starting pitcher Michael Cederoth held the St. Mary's offense at bay over the first five innings, allowing just one hit and a pair of walks while striking out six. Cederoth, who was making the Friday start in lieu of Cole Swanson who was in the hospital after an appendectomy on Monday, ran into trouble in the sixth as he would give up two runs on three hits and walk before being relieved by junior right-hander Ethan Miller.
Miller worked his way out of the inning with no further damage, but the Aztecs found themselves trailing, 2-1. St. Mary's lead, however, did not last long.
In the bottom of the sixth, Smith reached first on a two-out single and was able to move to third when Gaels pitcher Martin Agosta threw wildly to first on an errant pickoff attempt. Jake Romanski them single up the middle to bring home Smith and knot the score at 2-2.
After retiring the side in order in the top of the seventh, Miller ran into trouble in the eighth as the visitors would get a single and base on balls before Chris Murphy lashed a triple to right cent to give the Gaels a 4-2 lead. Murphy would then score on a dropped fly ball in left field to give his side a three-run cushion.
St. Mary's would add a run in the ninth before SDSU got a consolation run in its final at bat on a double by Matt Muñoz and an errors on the Gaels' third baseman.
Agosta, who went seven innings, would be credited with the win to move his record to 2-0 while teammate Patrick Keane recorded his first save after tossing the final two frames. Miller (0-1) took the loss for the Aztecs.
SDSU's Muñoz finished the night with a pair of doubles while Greg Allen also had two hits (single, double) and scored a run.
San Diego State and St. Mary's will continue their weekend series on Saturday (March 10) with a game schedule for a 6:00 p.m. start.