March 10, 2016
***Due to a field issue, tonight's SDSU-Northwestern game will start at 6:30 p.m.***
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - San Diego State and Northwestern will meet on the baseball field for the first time ever when the teams begin a four-game series this evening at 6:30 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
The Wildcats (4-9) come into this evening's contest on the heels of a five-game losing streak after having started the season with a 4-4 record. Included in that mark is a split of a four-game series against Mountain West member Nevada in Mesa, Ariz., to open the season.
Northwestern's offense is led by right fielder Matt Hopfner (.375, 4 2B, 5 RBI) and shortstop Jack Dunn (.333, 3 2B, 3 RBI). After 13 games the Wildcats are hitting .282 as a team with a 5.26 earned run average.
The visitors are expected to start redshirt freshman left-hander Dan Kubiuk (1-0, 0.00) on the mound in tonight's contest.
San Diego State (2-10), meanwhile, ended a seven-game losing streak with last Sunday's 5-4 come-from-behind victory over Fresno State. In that contest, the Aztecs rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth to overcome a 4-2 deficit.
Freshman left Dominic Purpura (0-0, 1.29) will be SDSU's pitcher this evening after making his collegiate starting debut last Friday vs. Fresno State.
Alan Trejo's .333 batting average is tops among the regulars and the sophomore shortstop is riding an eight-game hitting streak entering the series vs. Northwestern. Freshman Dean Nevarez has upped his season average to .391 in seven games after serving as the Aztecs' designated hitter during last weekend's games vs. Fresno State.
San Diego State and Northwestern will continue action on Friday, March 11, with a doubleheader set to get underway at 2:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.