May 22, 2015
RENO, Nev. - San Diego State got a pair of home runs and a stellar pitching performance from junior Mark Seyler as it defeated Air Force, 8-2, in Friday's first game at the Mountain West Tournament in Reno, Nev. With the victory, the Aztecs (36-21) remain alive in the tourney while Air Force (23-29) saw its season come to an end.
SDSU broke on top in the second inning on Seby Zavala's 10th home run of the season, a solo shot to left field. One inning later it was Danny Sheehan with a two-run shot to left to give the Aztecs a 3-0 lead. They add a fourth run in the third as well when Zavala was hit by pitch, went to second on a balk and scored on Spencer Thornton's double to right.
Seyler, meanwhile, retired the first 11 batters he faced before hitting Noah Pearce with two out in the fourth. The junior right-hander would toss seven shutout innings allowing just three hits while striking out two. The effort would earn him the win as he improved to 9-2 on the season.
San Diego State increased its lead to 7-0 by adding three runs to its total in the bottom of the fifth. Sheehan led off by being hit by pitch and scored on Ty France's double to left. Zavala then doubled in France, and after a single by Thornton he scored on a double play grounder.
SDSU made it 8-0 in the eighth on back-to-back singles by Steven Pallares and an RBI ground out by France.
The Falcons picked up a pair of consolation runs in the top of the ninth against Aztec reliever Dalton Douty on three hits and a hit batter before Brian Heldman came on to get the final out of the contest.
Thornton ended the contest with three hits including a double and RBI. Justin Wylie also registered three hits while Sheehan, France and Zavala recorded two RBI apiece.
With the win, the Aztecs advance to this afternoon's elimination against Nevada set to get underway at 3:00 p.m.