Feb. 15, 2015
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Feb. 15, 2015
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - After Saturday's contest that saw a total of 34 runs scored, hitting was at a premium Sunday afternoon as San Diego State defeated Valparaiso, 3-0, to complete a sweep of their three game season-opening series. With the win, the Aztecs improved to 3-0 while the Crusaders saw their record drop to 0-3.
Valparaiso ended the afternoon with only four hits, but the Aztecs fared little better with five. The home side was able manufacture a pair of early runs that proved to be the difference. The Crusaders on the other hand finished the contest having stranded 12 runners on base,
SDSU opened the scoring with a single run in the bottom of the second. Ryan Muno led off with a double to right center, advanced to second on a ground out by Andrew Brown and scored on Spencer Thornton's sacrifice fly to center.
The Aztecs doubled their advantage one inning later as Danny Sheehan drew a one-out walk. He promptly stole second and advanced to third when the catcher's throw went into center field. After a walk to Seby Zavala, Sheehan scored on a balk by Valpo starter Mario Losi to make it a 2-0 contest.
San Diego State junior right-hander Mark Seyler kept the Crusaders offense at bay over his six innings of work. He allowed three runs along with three walks while striking out eight and would be credited with the victory to improve to 1-0 on the year.
The Aztecs added their third run of the contest in the bottom of the fifth when Steven Pallares hit a two-run home to left off Losi. The Valparaiso starter would depart the game after 6.1 innings after allowing three runs on five hits with two walks and one strikeout.
After Seyler departed the contest after six innings due to pitch count, four SDSU hurlers combined to shut out the Crusaders over the final three frames. Sophomore right-hander CJ Saylor would record the final out in the ninth to notch his first career save.
San Diego State will continue its season-opening six-game home stand on Tuesday, Feb. 17, when it host Loyola Marymount for a contest scheduled to get underway at 6:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.