May 15, 2015
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - St. Mary's scored an unearned run in the top of the ninth to break a 3-3 deadlock and went on to defeat San Diego State, 4-3, Friday evening at Tony Gwynn Stadium. Prior to that contest the Aztecs complete Thursday' suspended winning by the score of 20-6. The loss ended a short four-game win streak for SDSU, which saw its record drop to 35-19.
The Aztecs got on the board first with a pair of runs in the bottom of the opening inning. Steven Pallares led off with a single, stole second and advanced to third when the throw on his steal attempt went into center field. He scored on Ty France's sacrifice fly to center. Seby Zavala then drew a two-out walk and went to second on a passed ball before scoring on Andrew Brown's single to right field.
SDSU starting pitcher Mark Seyler sailed through the first five innings, allowing just a pair of singles and a walk while recording six strikeouts. The junior right-hander ran into trouble in the sixth, however, as the Gaels put together three consecutive singles and a ground out to score two runs before adding a third on an Aztec fielding error to take a 3-2 lead.
San Diego State drew even with a run in its half of the seventh. Alan Trejo singled and was sacrificed to second by Justin Wylie. Danny Sheehan's single up the middle then brought Trejo home with the tying run.
The visitor's winning run in the top of the ninth started with a leadoff single. When an ensuing sacrifice bunt attempt was thrown wide of first base, the Gaels (27-26) found themselves with runners at the corners and no outs. After a walk loaded the bases, the Aztecs got an out at the plate on a fielder's choice, but a safety squeeze allowed what would be the winning the run to score.
St. Mary's reliever Drew Strotman, who tossed the final two shutout innings, was credited with the win to improve to 2-3 while SDSU's CJ Saylor took the loss to fall to 1-3.
Pallares ended the night with three hits and a run scored while Sheehan had a pair of singles and an RBI.
San Diego State and St. Mary's will play the rubber game of their three-game series on Saturday (May 16) at 1:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium. Prior to the contest, the Aztecs will honor a trio of senior athletes making their final appearance at Tony Gwynn Stadium. During the game, senior Steven Pallares will attempt to play all nine positions in the field to become the first Aztec to accomplish that feat.