SAN DIEGO – San Diego State opened its weekend homestand on a sour note Thursday after falling to Grand Canyon by a 7-2 tally at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
Despite a valiant effort by pitcher Jacob Flores, who threw a career-high seven innings, the Aztecs (10-28) were unable to overcome a 6-0 deficit after committing four errors on the night.
Flores (1-4) struck out six batters in his first start since March 22 but yielded six runs (three earned) on nine hits and two walks in the loss.
The Lopes (26-12) who maintained an 11-5 advantage in hits, plated two unearned runs in the third inning to take the lead for good. Juan Colato singled home Cade Verdusco and later touched home on Jacob Wilson's groundout to third.
Earlier in the frame, Verdusco led off with a base hit through the right side before moving into scoring position on a passed ball and a flyout to center. Meanwhile, Colato advanced to third shortly thereafter on a failed pickoff attempt from the pitcher's mound.
GCU extended its advantage in the fourth with two more markers, one of which was unearned. Tayler Aguilar was by a pitch and was replaced by pinch runner Ambren Voitik before Ronnie Belton III drew a walk. Moments later, Verdusco hit a sharp single to left field that was misplayed, allowing Voitik and Belton to circle the bases.
The Lopes added to their lead in the seventh when Verdusco crossed the plate on Wilson's RBI single through the right side, while Homer Bush Jr. raced home on another errant pickoff attempt that scooted wide of first from the catcher.
SDSU, which came up empty after getting the leadoff batter aboard in five of the first six innings, finally broke through a pair of runs in the seventh when Brian Leonhardt trotted home from third on Kenny LeBeau's sacrifice fly, while Deron Johnson doubled and scored on Caden Miller's single to right. Irvin Weems followed with a walk, but reliever Kyle Sandstrom entered and induced a fielder's choice to prevent further damage.
Later in the ninth, Colato led off with a triple and scored on Wilson's sacrifice fly to account for the final 7-2 margin.
Lopes starter Nick Hull (4-1) earned the victory after withstanding six hits and four walks while posting six strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings, while Sandstrom collected the save.
Verdusco and Colato finished with three hits apiece to lead all players, while Wilson totaled a trio of RBIs. Conversely, Leonhardt topped the Aztecs with two hits of his own in the loss.
San Diego State and Grand Canyon will square off in a rematch on Friday at Tony Gwynn Stadium, starting at 6 p.m. PT.
Aztecs Fall to Grand Canyon in Weekend Opener, 7-2
