March 11, 2014
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - San Diego State used the long ball to account for its opening and closing runs as it pounded out 12 hits and got its second straight shutout pitching effort in a 12-0 victory at Cal State Northridge Tuesday afternoon. With the win the Aztecs improved to 12-4 as they continued their best start to a season since 1997.
SDSU jumped out on top quickly as Greg Allen's opening walk was followed by a home run to left off the bat of Tim Zier, his first of the year. The Aztecs added two more in the first as a single and two Matador errors loaded the bases for Tyler Adkison (fielder's choice) and CJ Saylor (sacrifice fly) to pick up RBIs and give the visitors a 4-0 lead.
San Diego State added three more in the third thanks to Adkison's RBI double to right, a run-scoring fielder's choice by Saylor and an RBI single by Evan Potter. Saylor would record his third RBI in three plate appearances with a triple in the top of the fifth that brought home Spencer Thornton, who had singled to begin the inning, to make it 8-0.
The Matadors (7-11), meanwhile, were being frustrated by SDSU starting pitcher TJ Kendzora. Although they put two men on base in each of the first four innings, Kendzora was able to work his way out of trouble and leave seven men stranded over that period. The Aztec senior would go on to complete seven innings of shutout ball scattering seven hits with a walk and three strikeouts. The result improved his record to 2-0 as he lowered his earned run average to 1.06.
Redshirt freshman Cody Thompson tossed the final two innings, recording the final six outs in succession to secure the win.
San Diego State added four runs to its total in the top of the eighth courtesy of Zier's sacrifice fly and a three-run homer by Ty France. It was Frances' team-leading fourth homer of the season and his second hit of the contest.
In addition to France, three other Aztecs ended the afternoon with two hits including Seby Zavala (run scored), Spencer Thornton (3 runs scored) and Evan Potter (RBI, run scored).
San Diego State now returns home for a four-game series against Purdue that gets underway with a contest on Friday, Mar. 14, at 6:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.