March 13, 2015
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Bubba Derby tossed eight innings of shutout ball and the San Diego State offense made the most of its opportunities as the Aztecs defeated No. 13 Texas Tech, 9-0, Friday evening at Tony Gwynn Stadium. With the win SDSU improved to 15-3 on the season while the Red Raiders dropped to 12-5.
Derby scatted three singles over his eight innings of work while striking out 11 and not conceding any bases on balls. His effort earned him the win as he upped his season record to 2-1 while lowering his ERA to 2.23.
The Aztecs got on the board in their first at bat with a pair of unearned runs. Steven Pallares led off with a single and when Danny Sheehan's sac bunt was misplayed by the Texas Tech third baseman Ryan Long, SDSU had men at first and second with no outs. Ty France was hit by pitch to load the bases before Seby Zavala grounded into a double play with Pallares scoring. Andre Brown then laced a two-out RBI single up the middle to five the home side a quick 2-0 lead.
San Diego State added four runs to its lead in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a two-run double by freshman Alan Trejo and a two-RBI single by France.
The Aztecs' final three runs came two innings later with Sheehan and France recording sacrifice flies and Chase Calabuig earning an RBI by drawing a bases-loaded walk.
Derby, who did not allow more than one base runner in any inning, was lifted after eight innings in favor of junior Brian Heldman. The junior right-hander faced four batters in the top of the ninth, surrendering a two-out walk before getting a strikeout to end the contest.
Four Aztecs ended the night with two hits apiece led by France (three RBI) and Trejo (two RBI), who both had a single and double. Pallares finished with a pair of singles and three runs scored while Brown also had two hits and an RBI.
San Diego State and Texas Tech will continue their three-game series on Saturday, March 14, with a contest scheduled to get underway at 2:00 p.m. 9PT) at Tony Gwynn Stadium.