March 26, 2016
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - San Diego State overcame a two-run deficit with three runs in the bottom of the sixth and added five more over the next two frames to defeat New Mexico, 11-6, Saturday afternoon at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The victory ended a five-game skid for the Aztecs, who improved to 5-16 overall and 2-5 in the Mountain West.
Heading to the bottom of the sixth, SDSU found itself trailing 5-3 despite a solid pitching effort from starter Brett Seeburger. The junior lefty ended up tossing the opening 5.1 innings with only three of the runs he allowed being of the earned variety. He scattered six hits during his stint with a walk and four strikeouts.
After Seeburger departed with one out and one on the top of the sixth, right-handed reliever Brian Heldman came on to strike out the ensuing two batters to limit the Lobos to one run in the frame.
The Aztecs, meanwhile, were having little success against UNM starter Tyler Stevens although they did take a short-lived early lead in the second when a sacrifice fly by Jordan Verdon and solo home run by Andrew Brown gave the home side a 2-1 lead.
The visitors tied the contest in their next at bat with a solo homer of their own before San Diego State regained the advantage in the bottom of the fourth when Dean Nevarez singled, went to third on Tyler Adkison's single and scored on a wild pitch to go up 3-2.
Heading to the last of the sixth trailing by two, SDSU struck for three runs with the help of the afternoon sun. Alan Trejo's leadoff fly ball to center was lost in the sun by Lobo fielder Luis Gonzalez for a double. Two outs later, another fly to center was lost at the last minute by the center fielder and fell in for a double scoring Trejo.
Jordan Verdon's then sent a fly ball to left that was dropped for a two-base error allowing Adkison to score the tying run. The Aztecs then took the lead on Brown's RBI single up the middle that made it a 6-5 game.
SDSU took control of the contest in the next inning, loading the bases with two out before Adkison sent a deep fly ball over the center fielder's head for a double to bring home three runs and give the Aztecs a 9-5 led. They padded their lead in the eighth with two markers courtesy of an RBI single by David Hensley and sacrifice fly by Trejo.
New Mexico scored a consolation run in the top of the ninth, but Heldman finished the contest to claim the victory and improve to 1-2 on the season. The junior went the final 3.2 innings surrendering just the one run on four hits, walking none and striking out four.
Adkison ended the afternoon with three hits, three RBI and a run scored plus a sacrifice bunt that helped set up SDSU's opening run. Brown had a pair of hits including the home run and a pair of RBI while Justin Wylie had two hits and scored twice.
San Diego State will be on the road for five games next week beginning with a trip to Corvallis, Ore., to face No. 3 Oregon State on Monday and Tuesday (March 28-29) at 5:30 p.m. The road swing continues from there as the Aztecs then visit Reno for a three-game Mountain West series against Nevada set to get underway on Friday, April 1, at 6:00 p.m.