Feb. 21, 2015
RIVERSIDE, Calif. - San Diego State saw a late four-run lead disappear before rallying in the final inning to record a 7-6 victory over UC Riverside Saturday afternoon at the Riverside Sports Complex. With the win the Aztecs improve to 6-1 on the season while the Highlanders drop to 5-2.
Clinging to a 2-1 lead heading into the seventh inning, the Aztecs put three on the board in the top of the frame to take a 5-1 lead. After loading the bases, SDSU scored a run on balk and then plated another pair on a two-run RBI single to right by freshman Chase Calabuig.
But the game was far from over as UC Riverside responded with five runs of their own in the bottom of the inning to go up 6-5. Those runs came on five hits and walk with the big blow a grand slam by Alex Rubanowitz to cap off the scoring.
San Diego State would have the last word, however, as it rallied for two runs in the top of the ninth. Andrew Brown and Alan Trejo led off the frame with back-to-back singles, and one out later Calabuig lofted a triple to left center field to bring home both runners and give the Aztecs the 7-6 lead.
Zac Oakley (1-0), who had come on in the bottom of the seventh to end the Highlander's offensive uprising, would be credited with the win after 1.1 innings of relief work.
Closer CJ Saylor would come in in the bottom of the ninth to record two strikeouts and a ground out to second to secure the victory and register his fourth save.
Calabuig finished the game with a pair of hits and four runs batted in while Brown also had two hits, an RBI and scored twice.
San Diego State and UC Riverside will wrap up their fur game series on Sunday (Feb. 22) with a contest at the Riverside Sports Complex set to get underway at 1:00 p.m.