RENO, Nev. – After erasing a 7-2 deficit with three runs in the sixth and two runs in the ninth, the San Diego State baseball team ultimately fell after Nevada's Wyatt Tilley hit a bases-loaded walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to end the game, 8-7. SDSU falls to 16-14 (5-6 Mountain West) while Nevada improves to 16-13 (6-7 MW).
The walk-off run came after a two-run top of the ninth for the Aztecs to tie the game, as a Deron Johnson pinch-hit single kick-started the late-inning rally. Johnson eventually came around to score after an error by Nevada left fielder Daniel Perry and Matt Rudick later scored the game-tying run to knot the game at 7-7.
The Aztecs were still threatening with two down in the ninth, as Chad Bible was intentionally walked to load the bases. The gamble ended up paying off for the Wolf Pack, as Nevada reliever Cooper Powell entered the game and forced a frame-ending fly out against Mike Jarvis to keep the scored tied at 7-7.
Michael Paredes struck out a career-high nine in an impressive relief performance, allowing just four hits and two earned runs over the course of 5.2 innings pitched. After Paredes gave up two hits against the first three batters he faced in the bottom of the fourth, the freshman right-hander did not allow a hit until Joshua Zamora's lead-off double in the top of the ninth.
Nevada built a 7-2 lead by scoring in each of the game's first four innings. The Aztecs, trailing 2-0 heading to the second inning, took advantage of control issues by Nevada starter Ryan Anderson, as back-to-back walks, a hit by pitch, and a bases-loaded walk by Brian Leonhardt gave the Aztecs their first run of the game. Jaden Fein later drove in a run on a fielder's choice to tie the game at 2-2.
Leonhardt posted a bases-clearing three-RBI double in the sixth inning, bringing the Aztecs within a pair of runs at 7-5. Angelo Armenta started the inning with SDSU's first hit of the night, while Casey Schmitt and Joe Fitzhugh both drew walks before all three scored on Leonhardt's double.
The Aztecs were held back by season-high five defensive errors and left eight runners on base.
Aztec starter Aaron Eden allowed nine hits and four hits in three innings of work. Nevada's Ryan Anderson allowed six walks, hit two batters, and surrendered five earned runs over six innings pitched.
NOTES
- Matt Rudick had a 21-game hitting streak come to a close, marking the third-longest hitting streak by an Aztec during the Mountain West era (since 2000).
- SDSU pitching recorded their 17th 10+ strikeout game of the season.
- Brian Leonhardt recorded his fifth multi-RBI game of the season, giving him a share of the team lead with Joe Fitzhugh, Julian Escobedo, and Casey Schmitt.
- SDSU falls to 27-14 in their last 41 one-run games and 39-12 in their last 51 games following a loss.
- SDSU had a seven-game winning streak when scoring five or more runs come to a close and are 49-9 in their last 58 games when scoring five or more runs.
UP NEXT
SDSU looks to even the series against Nevada tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. Senior RHP Justin Goossen-Brown (3-1, 3.63 ERA) is scheduled to take the ball for the Aztecs against Wolf Pack freshman RHP Owen Sharts (2-5, 6.25 ERA).
Baseball Falls After Walk-Off at Nevada
