April 26, 2015
FRESNO, Calif. - San Diego State scored five times in the third inning to take an early six-run lead and went on to defeat Fresno State, 9-4, Sunday afternoon at Beiden Field in Fresno. The victory enabled the Aztecs to capture the weekend series with the Bulldogs and improve to 29-16 overall and 16-8 in the Mountain West.
SDSU opened the scoring with a run in the top of the second on a walk to Steven Pallares as it loaded the bases with a hit by Chase Calabuig, intentional walk to Spencer Thornton and Alan Trejo being hit by pitch before Pallares drew the RBI base on balls. It was the first of six runs to be allowed by FSU starting pitcher Jimmy Lambert (2-2), who would toss three innings giving up a total of six run on seven hits.
The Aztecs increased their lead to 6-0 with five runs in the next frame. Those runs came on an RBI sacrifice fly by Cody Westmoreland, RBI singles by Thornton and Trejo plus a two-run single by Pallares.
The Bulldogs (21-23, 11-10 MW) answered with a single run in the bottom of the third, but that's all they could muster against Aztec starting pitcher Marcus Reyes. The sophomore left-hander would toss 6.1 innings allowing the lone run on seven hits with no walks and a pair of strikeouts. His effort earned him the win as he improved to 6-2 on the season.
San Diego State built its advantage to 9-1 with two runs in the seventh and one in the eighth. Those runs were produced courtesy of a two-run single by Thornton and a run-scoring single by Andrew Brown.
Fresno State also scored three runs over the final two frames, those coming against SDSU hurler Brian Heldman. The right-hander had allowed only one run in his previous 16 relief appearance. Jacob Erickson and CJ Saylor came on in the ninth to get the final two outs of the game to secure the victory.
Pallares ended the afternoon with four hits and three RBI with Thornton contributing three hits, three RBI and a run scored. Brown and Trejo had two hits apiece along with an RBI and run scored. The teams combined for 25 hits in the contest, all singles.
San Diego State will now return home to host a game against Cal State Northridge on Tuesday, April 28, at 6:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.