Feb. 24, 2017
SAN DIEGO - Tennessee scored four times in the top of the ninth to break open a 4-4 contest and went on to defeat San Diego State, 8-4, Friday evening at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
The Vols, who earlier in the day had downed Seton Hall, 11-5, improved to 5-1 with the victory over the Aztecs. SDSU, meanwhile, saw its record drop to 3-3.
San Diego State found itself trailing 4-0 in the fourth after Tennessee had gotten to starter Brett Seeburger for its lead. After opening the contest with a run in the first, the visitors added three more in the top of the fourth. Seeburger would go 4.1 innings allowing the four runs (three earned) on nine hits with a pair of walks and four strikeouts, but would not be involved in the decision.
The Aztecs responded in the bottom of the fourth with three runs of their own to close the gap to one. They loaded the bases with one out on walks to Danny Sheehan and Andrew Martinez plus a single by Jordan Verdon. Justin Wylie then drew a walk to bring home Sheehan before a single by Dean Nevarez plated Verdon to make it 4-2. David Hensley then grounded to second, but scored Martinez on the play to make it a one-run ball game.
SDSU would tie the contest two innings later on a walk to Nevarez and single by Hensley on which Nevarez was able to score when the center fielder's throw went into the Tennessee dugout.
The score remained tied at 4-4 over the next two innings before the Vols put four runs ion the board in top of the ninth.
With Jacob Erickson on the mound, Tennessee leadoff hitter Jeff Moberg lofted a ball over the left center field fence for what would prove to be the game-winning run. After a walk to the ensuing batter, the Aztecs brought on freshman Adrian Mardueno, but the Vols used two singles, a double and fielder's choice against the first-year Aztec hurler to add three more to their total.
Jon Lipinski (1-0), who had come on to pitch in the bottom of the eighth, was the beneficiary of his team's offensive outburst as he was credited with the win. Erickson (0-1) would be saddled with the loss.
The Aztecs managed only six hits in the contest with two of those recorded by Hensley who also had a pair of RBI.
San Diego State continues action at the Tony Gwynn Classic with a pair of games on Saturday (Feb. 25). After Oregon plays Seton Hall at 10:00 a.m. PT, the Pirates will turn around and face the Aztecs at 2:00 p.m. PT. SDSU will close out tourney play with a contest vs. Notre Dame scheduled to get underway at 6:00 p.m. PT.