March 28, 2014
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - San Diego State rallied for two runs in the bottom of the eighth and went on to defeat visiting Fresno State, 2-1, Friday evening at Tony Gwynn Stadium. Tyler Adkison's single through the left side drove in the game-winning run as the Aztecs improved to 20-6 overall and 6-4 in the Mountain West.
Fresno State (15-11, 5-5 MW) took the early lead in the contest thanks to an unearned run in the top of the second against Aztec starter Bubba Derby. Brody Russell led off the frame with a double, advanced to third on an errant pickoff throw by Derby and scored on a wild pitch.
Bulldog starting pitcher Jordan Brink made that lead stand up over his seven innings of work as he allowed only one hit, a two-out single to Ty France in the bottom of the sixth. Brink began to have control problems in the seventh as he walked the bases loaded with two out, but escaped the jam with no damage to his side's lead.
Derby would toss 6.2 innings for SDSU, allowing the lone run on five hits with four walks and seven strikeouts. He would not be involved in the decision as he was lifted in the top of the seventh with two men on in favor of Brandon Thomas, who pitched out of the jam.
Brink's night, meanwhile, ended after the seventh inning as he departed the contest having surrendered just one hit while walking eight and recording five strikeouts. Derick Velazquez was called upon in relief and took over on the mound to begin the bottom of the eighth.
He started by walking France and giving up a single to Seby Zavala to put runners at first and second with no outs. After a strikeout, Spencer Thornton delivered a single through the right side to bring home France with the tying run and send Zavala to third.
With the infield drawn in, Adkison then hit a ball between shortstop and third that allowed Zavala to come home with the run that would eventually give SDSU the victory. Closer Michael Cederoth came on to pitch the ninth, and after surrendering a bad-hop single with one out, retired the next two batters to nail down the win. It was the 10th save of the season for the junior right-hander. Freshman reliever Orlando Meza, who got the final two outs in the top of the eighth, was credited with the win to improve to 1-0.
San Diego State and Fresno State will play the second contest o their three-game series on Saturday (Mar. 29) with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m.