March 31, 2017
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State took an early lead, but had to rally for a pair for runs in the bottom of the seventh to overcome a one-run deficit as it defeated San Jose State, 5-4, Friday night at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
With the win, the Aztecs improved to 17-9 overall and 7-3 in the Mountain West as they held onto sole possession of second place in the conference standings. The Spartans, meanwhile, lost for the sixth time in their last seven outings and saw their record drop to 10-15 (5-5 MW).
San Jose State took a quick lead with a run in the opening inning. That marker came on three singles and a sacrifice bunt. SJSU's 1-0 advantage lasted all of two innings, however, and was erased on one swing of the bat.
Aztec catcher Dean Nevarez led off the bottom of the third by sending a pitch from Spartan starter Jake Swiech over the left field fence to tie the contest at 1-1.
The home side would add two more runs in the same inning as Chase Calabuig walked and went to second on a ground out. Calabuig scored on Andrew Brown's single to center. Brown then stole second and came home on a sharp single up the middle by Jordan Verdon to make it a 3-1 contest.
San Jose State re-took the lead with three runs in the top of the sixth on a hit, two walks and a pair of Aztec miscues. The three runs (two unearned) were charged to SDSU starter Brett Seeburger, who remained in the contest through the seventh inning. The senior lefty would eventually be credited with the victory to improve to 5-1 when his team rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh that made it 5-4 in favor of SDSU.
Those two runs came on a one out double by Nevarez, RBI single by Calabuig, who stole second, and a run-scoring single by Alan Trejo that allowed him extend his current hitting streak to 17 games.
The visitors mounted a comeback attempt in the next inning, but were unable to break through against a pair of Aztec relievers. Back-to-back singles to open the frame were followed by a sacrifice bunt to put runners at second and third with one out. SDSU's Jacob Erickson then got a strikeout for the second out and CJ Saylor came out of the bullpen to record another strikeout to end the threat.
Saylor then tossed a perfect ninth inning to end the contest and record his sixth save of the season.
Nevarez was the lone Aztec with more than one hit in the game as he struck for the double and home run. Calabuig registered a single, walk and scored twice for SDSU.
San Diego State and San Jose State will continue their weekend series on Saturday, April 1, with a game scheduled to get underway at 2:00 p.m. PT at Tony Gwynn Stadium.