March 4, 2017
San Diego State dug itself out of an early three-run deficit, scoring six times over the opening three innings, to defeat Cal Poly, 6-4, Saturday afternoon at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The win was the fourth in a row for the Aztecs, who improved to 7-4 on the season.
The contest got off to a rough start for SDSU senior starting pitcher Dominic Purpura, who was touched up for three runs by the Mustangs (2-8) in the opening inning. Four hits sandwiched around a hit batter helped stake the visitors to a quick 3-0 advantage.
San Diego State's comeback started immediately as leadoff hitter Alan Trejo greeted Cal Poly starter Jarred Zill with a ball deep over the left field fence to make it a 3-1 contest after one inning.
The Aztecs took the lead for good against Zill with three runs in the bottom of the third. With two out and nobody on, Trejo singled to right and advanced to second on Andrew Brown's hit through the right side. Danny Sheehan then drove home Trejo with a double to left center before Jordan Verdon gave SDSU a 4-3 lead, bringing home Brown and Sheehan with a single to right center.
The Aztecs upped their lead to 6-3 in the next frame when Dean Nevarez was hit by pitch with two out and Tyler Adkison followed that with a shot over the left field fence for a two-run homer.
After his rough start, Purpura allowed a lone run over the next four innings before he was lifted in favor of right-hander Cody Thompson to start the top of the sixth. Purpura's effort was enough to earn him the victory as he moved his record to 2-0.
SDSU's relief pitching in the game was solid as three hurlers combined to allow the Mustangs one hit with no walks and a strikeout over the final four innings. Thompson retired all six batters he faced in the sixth and seventh frames while teammate Logan Boyer did the same in the eighth.
Closer CJ Saylor came on to start the top of the ninth, and after surrendering a leadoff single, got a ground out, strikeout and pop fly to end the game and notch his third save of the year.
Three Aztecs ended the afternoon with two hits apiece including Trejo (HR, RBI, two runs scored), Brown (double, run scored) and Verdon (two RBI).
San Diego State and Cal Poly will play the final game of their weekend series on Sunday (March 5) at 1:00 p.m. PT at Tony Gwynn Stadium.