Feb. 21, 2013
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - San Diego State's three-game winning streak to open the season came to an end in Thursday night's home opener at Tony Gwynn Stadium with an 8-1 loss to Oregon State.
The No. 6-ranked Beavers (5-0) broke open a one-run game in the seventh inning, scoring five runs off the Aztecs' bullpen. Oregon State benefited from one error while collecting five hits off Aztecs relievers Ethan Miller and TJ Kendzora.
"This was hard, with all the momentum we had from last week beating our crosstown rival," said DH Brad Haynal, who led the Aztecs with three hits. "As good of a team that they were, we thought we would come out here and keep it rolling. Just couldn't get it done tonight.
"Tomorrow's a new day. We're still a team and looking forward to getting some tomorrow. These guys are good, but we'll be better. We know what we did wrong tonight. Hopefully, we can go home, sleep it off and come back tomorrow and fix it."
The four-game series resumes Friday at 6 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium. Junior right-hander Philip Walby is scheduled to start on the mound for the Aztecs.
No. 22-ranked SDSU (3-1) had a chance to grab the lead in the second inning when Matt Munoz was hit by a pitch from Oregon State starting pitcher Dan Child (2-0) and Jake Romanski followed with a single to right field. One out later Mitch Bluman reached on an error by Oregon State left fielder Michael Conforto to load the bases. But Evan Potter hit into an inning-ending double play to end the threat.
SDSU sophomore right-hander Michael Cederoth (1-1) limited Oregon State to just two hits and struck out six over the first six innings, but five walks played a part in the Beavers taking a 2-0 lead.
Oregon State scored the game's first run in the third inning when Andy Peterson came home on Conforto's sacrifice fly to left field. Two walks pushed Peterson to third after he had singled with two outs. The Beavers scored again in the sixth when Danny Hayes led off with a walk, moved to second on a wild pitch and later scored on Jake Rodriguez's sacrifice fly to left.
The Aztecs had an opportunity to get even in the bottom of the sixth when they loaded the bases with no outs on back-to-back-to-back singles by Greg Allen, Tim Zier and Brad Haynal. Child struck out Ty France before the Aztecs made it 2-1 on a fielder's choice by pinch hitter Steven Pallares. Romanski's fly out to right field ended the inning before SDSU could score again.
Oregon State's five-run seventh represented more runs in one inning off the SDSU bullpen than the staff allowed all weekend at USD. The bullpen allowed but two runs in 12.2 innings against the Toreros.
The Beavers added one run in the ninth inning of left-hander Brandon Thomas to complete the scoring.
"We had opportunities early and we didn't cash them in," said SDSU coach Tony Gwynn. "We executed really well last weekend. This first game here we really didn't execute. First and second, nobody out and we couldn't get a bunt down. Bases loaded and we hit into a double play. Hopefully, these guys will learn from this game."