SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State baseball team fell in a low-scoring affair against Oklahoma on Saturday night, with the Sooners taking a 1-0 decision on the second day of the Tony Gwynn Legacy at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
Oklahoma's lone run came in the top of the fifth when Milan Walla drove in Brady Harlan on an RBI single.
One of SDSU's most threatening offensive chances came in the bottom of the eighth after Angelo Armenta hit a one-out double and Julian Escobedo drew a four-pitch walk. Joe Fitzhugh squared up a Nathan Wiles pitch, but was ultimately caught by Sooner outfielder Harland and doubled off Armenta at second base to end the potential game-tying threat.
Angelo Armenta led the Aztecs going 2-for-2 while drawing a pair of walks to reach base in all four plate appearances.
In a strong display on the mound, starter Harrison Pyatt threw 4.2 innings and allowed just the one run on two hits while walking three and striking out five. SDSU's bullpen combination of Aaron Eden and Adrian Mardueno kept the Sooners scoreless and combined for just three hits allowed over 4.1 innings pitched. Mardueno finished his night recording four strikeouts against just nine batters faced.
Wiles earned the win for the Sooners, improving to 2-0 on the year, while Pyatt was dealt the tough-luck loss and falls to 0-1. OU closer Jason Ruffcorn secured his third save of the season.
Notes
· San Diego State fell to 4-2 on the season. Both of SDSU's losses this year have come by a one-run margin.
· San Diego State was shut out for just the third time over the last 68 games.
· Julian Escobedo reached base in his 30th consecutive game, marking the longest on-base streak since Chase Calabuig reached base in 32 consecutive games in 2015.
· San Diego State recorded 12 or more strikeouts for the sixth consecutive game. Before this season, SDSU had not recorded 12 or more strikeouts in four consecutive games since at least 2000
· The loss marks as SDSU's first loss when allowing just one run since falling 1-0 against USC on March 7, 2017
· SDSU falls to 16-8 (.667) in their last 24 one-run games
San Diego State Head Coach Mark Martinez
On tonight's game:
"It was a hard-fought game. I thought we pitched good enough to win. Offensively, I think we did a very poor job planning our at bats. We gave up a lot of at bats tonight. Were a better offensive club than that. I think we played a little too big for the moment – Big 12 school, name brand, the whole deal, 5-0. I told our guys that's a regional type game and we have to fund a way to win those games. Hopefully we can learn from it and transition tomorrow into a better performance."
On how special it is to have marquee matchups in the Tony Gwynn Legacy:
"It's awesome. It's a great field this year. I think we want to continue to bring in the best baseball around the country to come play in San Diego and hopefully continue to grow this tournament. Not just for next year, but forever."
On how special the Tony Gwynn Legacy is:
"It's awesome. It's one of his dreams. He wanted to build this tournament ever since I've been here, and it took a lot of time to finally see it come to fruition. It's a way to showcase college baseball in the city of San Diego, and that was his dream, and to bring in the best baseball from around the country to kind of have like a preseason type, regional type atmosphere. We have a great field this year and were going to have another great field next year. It's a great way to honor Tony's legacy as well."
UP NEXT
SDSU is set to finish the Tony Gwynn Legacy against Kansas State tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 p.m. RHP Brad Wegman will make the start for the Aztecs while K-State will send Will Brennan to the mound.
Baseball Falls in Pitchers Duel Against Oklahoma
