March 7, 2017
SAN DIEGO - USC scored an unearned run in the top of the seventh inning and two relief pitchers made that marker stand up as the Trojans downed San Diego State, 1-0, Tuesday evening at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
The loss ended a five-game win streak for SDSU, which saw its record drop to 8-5. USC, meanwhile improved to 8-4 on the year.
Both teams had numerous chances during the contest, but were unable to convert those opportunities into runs. As a staff pitching night, SDSU used eight hurlers in the game while the Trojans utilized four.
The scoring breakthrough came with Alan Trejo on the mound for San Diego State. USC's Brady Shockey drew a walk and was replaced by pinch runner Christian Moya. Brandon Perez then singled, and when right fielder Tyler Adkison's throw attempting to get Moya at third hit the runner and skipped past third, the visitors scored the only run of the night. That run would make Trejo (0-1) the losing pitcher.
Trojan reliever Bryce Dyrda (1-0) was the beneficiary of the unearned run as he would be credited with his first win of the season. After striking out the side in the bottom of the seventh, USC brought on closer Austin Manning, who retired six of the final seven Aztec batters to record his second save.
SDSU's best chance in the game came in the bottom of the sixth when it loaded the bases with one out. But a pair of strikeouts by Dyrda ended the threat.
The Aztecs ended up stranding 11 runners on base in the contest while the Trojans left eight.
San Diego State will now get ready to open its 2017 Mountain West campaign this weekend with a three-game series at Nevada. The Aztecs and Wolf Pack will get that set of games underway on Friday, March 10, at 2:00 pm. PT at the Wolf Pack's Peccole Park in Reno.