April 26, 2014
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - San Jose State score four unearned runs in the top of the ninth to record a 9-5 victory over San Diego State in game two of their three-game weekend series Saturday evening at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The Aztecs, who lost for only the fourth time at home this season, saw their overall record drop to 30-13 (11-9 in the Mountain West Conference). San Jose State, meanwhile, ended a five-game losing streak as it improved to 13-30 (7-16 MW) on the year.
The game was a back-and-forth affair that saw four lead changes before being tied at 5-5 after seven innings. SDSU took a 1-0 lead in the third when Evan Potter walked, stole second, went to third on a fly ball to right and scored on a sacrifice fly by Tim Zier.
San Jose State grabbed a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth as a walk and three singles allowed it to put a pair of runs on the board against SDSU starter Mike Robards.
The Aztecs answered back with two runs in the bottom of the inning to go up 3-2. A single by Seby Zavala and walk to Steven Pallares were cashed in on RBI singles by Brad Haynal and Tyler Adkison.
SDSU's lead lasted two innings until the visitors added three to their total in the top of the seventh. Two of those runs were charged to RoBards and one to reliever Brandon Thomas as the Spartans grabbed a 5-3 advantage.
Again the Aztecs came right back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the same inning with both markers being of the unearned variety. With Zavala and Pallares at first and second with one out, Spartan hurler Myles Richard wheeled for pickoff attempt at second, but lost his grip on the ball and his throw sailed into right center field allowing Zavala to score and Pallares to advance to third. Haynal then lofted a sacrifice fly to right and the contest was tied at 5-5.
In the ninth, San Jose State pushed across its four runs without the benefit of a hit. A walk, fielder's choice, three errors and a wild pitch against three SDSU relievers sealed the win for the Spartans. The Aztecs used a total of seven pitcher in the game with senior Justin Hepner taking the loss to fall to 0-1. The win went to Richard (2-3) while James Glawe picked up his first save of the season.
Zavala led the SDSU offense with three hits including a double and two runs scored. Tim Zier had a pair of hits along with an RBI.
San Jose State and San Diego State will play the rubber game of their weekend series on Sunday, Apr. 27, with first pitch set for 1:05 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.