Game Week Preview
San Diego State at Fresno State
April 29-May 1, 2022
Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium
Fresno, Calif.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday, April 29 | 6:05 p.m. PT
SDSU: Troy Melton, RHP (3-2, 1.38 ERA, 39.0 IP)
FS: Trevor Garcia, RHP (3-0, 2.18 ERA, 33.0 IP)
Saturday, April 30 | 3:05 p.m. PT
SDSU: TJ Fondtain, LHP (1-4, 5.36 ERA, 45.1 IP)
FS: Ixan Henderson, LHP (6-3, 3.99 ERA, 56.1 IP)
Sunday, May 1 | 1:05 p.m. MT
SDSU: Chris Canada, LHP (1-0, 4.30 ERA, 29.1 IP)
FS: Jake Dixon, LHP (1-4, 4.18 ERA, 60.1 IP)
WHAT'S ON TAP FOR AZTEC BASEBALL
> San Diego State jumps back into Mountain West competition this weekend when it locks horns with Fresno State in a three-game series, April 29-May 1, at Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium in Fresno, California.
> The Aztecs and Bulldogs will square off at three different starting times during the series, with the opener getting underway Friday at 6 p.m. PT, while Saturday's game two is slated to begin at 3:05 p.m., followed by Sunday's finale at 1:05 p.m.
> In addition to live stats, all three games will feature a live stream via the Mountain West Network, with links to both platforms available on GoAztecs.com.
> SDSU will be looking to avenge a three-game sweep at the hands of Fresno State, March 25-27, at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The Aztecs scored just three runs on the weekend, falling by scores of 3-1, 8-2 and 4-0.
> Following their excursion to the Central Valley, the Aztecs will open an eight-game homestand next week against a pair of non-conference opponents when UC San Diego (May 3) and CSUN (May 4) invade "America's Finest City" on consecutive nights.
SETTING THE SCENE
> SDSU is coming off a 4-3 victory at Long Beach State on April 26, scoring three runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead for good, while a trio of relievers held the Bulldogs scoreless over the final three innings.
> Prior to Tuesday's win, the Aztecs posted a 1-3 record last weekend, April 21-24, splitting two games with Grand Canyon to open their homestand before falling to No. 7/6 Stanford in the final two encounters.
> Against the Lopes on April 22, SDSU snapped a five-game home losing streak with a 2-1 triumph, as starter Troy Melton tossed a complete game, giving up just one unearned run on five hits and no walks to garner Mountain West Pitcher of Week accolades for the third time in his career.
> As of April 28, Aztec pitchers continue to lead the Mountain West in several categories, including ERA (4.85), fewest hits allowed (368) and opposing team batting average (.256).
> On the national stage, SDSU ranks 73rd in strikeouts per nine innings (9.4), 81st in hits allowed per nine innings (8.87) and 90th in ERA.
> This season, the Aztecs have been running with reckless abandon on the base paths, tying for 34th in the country with a league-best 66 stolen bases.
> Individually, sophomore Cole Carrigg is tied atop the Mountain West with 17 stolen bases, which is tied for 53rd in the nation, while his .370 batting average ranks eighth in the conference and 98th in the country,
> Since April 1, Carrigg has hit safely in 16 of 18 games, hitting .430 (34-56) with 15 RBIs, 13 runs scored and 12 stolen bases. The SDSU utility player has posted multiple hits in 12 starts during that span, including a 6-for-6 effort with four RBIs at New Mexico on April 15. Consequently, Carrigg has raised his season batting average from .299 to .370 in that stretch.
AZTEC WEEKEND ROTATION
> For the fourth straight week, San Diego State will utilize the starting rotation of Troy Melton, TJ Fondtain and Chris Canada.
> Melton (3-2, 1.38 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound for Friday's series opener against the Bulldogs. The Aztec right-hander tossed the second complete game as a collegian in his last start against Grand Canyon on April 22, lifting the Scarlet and Black to a 2-1 triumph. With his performance that featured just one unearned run, Melton has emerged victorious in three of his last four starts and garnered Mountain West Pitcher of the Week accolades for the third time in his career. In his previous start at New Mexico on April 14, the SDSU junior gave up two runs on nine hits and one walk, as the Aztecs thumped the Lobos, 10-3. Against San José State on April 8, he posted a career-high 10 strikeouts but was tagged with the hard-luck loss after giving up two runs on four hits and a pair of walks in 5.0 innings of work. Earlier, Melton picked up his first victory of the year at Nevada on April 1, after yielding just one unearned run on four hits and one walk in a season-long seven innings. He collected six strikeouts for the second straight outing and limited Wolf Pack to a combined .160 batting average (4-25), as the Scarlet and Black rolled to a 13-1 conquest. Melton has faced Fresno State on five occasions with four starts during his career, recording a 2-2 record with a 2.84 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings. He pitched his first career shut out and complete game in SDSU's 17-0 run-rule victory over the Bulldogs in seven innings on March 6, 2021, fanning nine batters to earn MW Pitcher of the Week honors. Entering the weekend, Melton ranks eighth in the league with 42 strikeouts, while his 1.38 ERA would top the MW if he had enough innings to qualify.
> TJ Fondtain (1-5, 5.89 ERA) is scheduled to make is his seventh consecutive start and 10th of the year on Saturday against the Bulldogs. Despite a victory drought in his last eight appearances, the Aztec left-hander still finds himself among the conference qualifying leaders in several categories as of April 27, including fewest hits allowed (2nd, 43), opposing batting average (3rd,.243), ERA (8th, 5.36) and fewest runs allowed (8th, 36). Earlier this month p, Fondtain posted a career-high eight strikeouts in just 4 2/3 innings vs. San José State on April 9, but did not factor in the decision. The Clovis, California, native has recorded five or more strikeouts on three other occasions, including a start against Fresno State when he fanned six Bulldogs in five innings on March 27. After a relief stint vs. UNLV on March 11, Fondtain returned to the rotation at San José State on March 20 and went six innings to tie his season-long stint but did not figure in the decision after surrendering five runs on six hits and one walk to go with a trio of strikeouts. Fondtain garnered Mountain West Pitcher of the Week accolades after collecting his first career victory in the Aztecs' 7-1 triumph over Hawai'i in the Tony Gwynn Legacy on Feb. 25. Against the Rainbow Warriors, he tallied a then career-high seven strikeouts, allowing just one unearned run on a scant three hits and no walks in 6.0 innings. Against Long Beach State last Tuesday, Fondtain made his second start of the year at designated hitter and drove in Brian Leonhardt with his first career double, helping SDSU claim a 4-3 triumph.
> Meanwhile, Chris Canada (1-0, 4.30 ERA) is projected to make his fifth career start in Sunday's finale at Fresno State. The SDSU left-hander has not figured in a decision in each of his last four appearances, including a five-inning stint at home vs. No. 7/6 Stanford on April 24, when he was lifted after giving up four runs on seven hits and two walks against a pair of strikeouts in five innings, as the Cardinal plated two runs in the ninth to break a 4-4 tie. Canada collected his first collegiate victory in the Aztecs' 5-1 triumph over Long Beach State at home on April 5, after recording a personal-best seven strikeouts in five scoreless innings during which he scattered three and a pair of walks. Earlier in the month vs. San José State, Canada completed a season-long stint of 6 1/3 innings, yielding two runs on three hits and a trio of walks but did not figure in the decision. A 2021 alumnus of Orange Lutheran High School, Canada earned all-CIF Division I honors as a senior after helping the Lancers reach the semifinals of both the CIF Southern Section playoffs and the CIF regional championships. During his final prep campaign, he posted an 8-0 record with a 1.39 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 72.0 innings while collecting two saves and limiting the opposition to a .159 batting average, In addition, Canada garnered all-Trinity League accolades and competed in the Orange County All-Star Game.
SERIES RECORD VS. FRESNO STATE
> After dropping a three-game series against the Bulldogs at Tony Gwynn Stadium last month, San Diego State trails the all-time series 106-108. The two programs first met in 1939.
> The Aztecs have faced Fresno State more than any other team in school history.
> SDSU is 51-56 against the Bulldogs in San Diego, 48-49 in Fresno and 7-3 at neutral sites.
> During Mark Martinez's eight-year tenure as head coach on The Mesa, SDSU is 16-19 vs. Fresno State, including a 7-11 mark at home, an 8-7 ledger on the road and a 1-1 record on a neutral field.
> In Martinez's first year at the helm of the Aztecs in 2015, the Scarlet and Black split two games with the Bulldogs at the Mountain West Championship, dropping the opener, 15-7, before rebounding in game four with a 7-6 victory in 10 innings en route to the capturing the tournament crown.
> Caden Miller has started 12 career games vs. Fresno State, posting a .455 batting average with one homer, 10 RBIs and 13 runs scored.
> In addition, Brian Leonhardt has played against the Bulldogs more than any other SDSU veteran, making 14 starts in 15 appearances with a .292 batting average (14-48),10 RBIs and seven runs scored.
> The Aztecs took two of three games in their last visit to Fresno State during the 2021 campaign. SDSU scored seven runs with two outs in the eighth inning for a 12-11 triumph game one of the series-opening doubleheader before dropping a 5-3 decision in the nightcap. However, the Scarlet and Black displayed some more late-inning magic in the rubber game, scoring 16 unanswered runs to record a wild 21-14 victory.
> Among Aztec returners in that series finale, Caden Miller (3-4, 4 RBIs, 2 runs), Brian Leonhardt (3-5, 3 RBIs, 3 runs), Poncho Ruiz (3-5, 2 RBIs, 2 runs) and Cole Carrigg (2-4, 2 runs) combined for a .611 batting average (11-18) with nine RBIs and nine runs scored.
HEATING UP IN APRIL
> Although more improvement is needed, San Diego State has been producing higher offensive totals since April 1, posting a slash line of .284./.378/.398 and 37 stolen bases to help forge a 7-11 record for the month.
> In the first 24 games of the season, the Aztecs compiled a slash line of .226/.334/.304 with 29 steals, recording a 5-19 mark in that span.
> In addition, the Scarlet and Black has scored 5.56 runs per game this month, compared to an average of 3.96 runs prior to March 31.
AZTECS AMONG NATION'S BEST AT THE PLATE
> Despite its slow start this year, San Diego State has demonstrated historical success at the plate over the previous eight seasons, ranking 10th nationally with a collective batting average of .296 between 2014-21.
> With their performance, the Aztecs trail Morehead State (.310), Jackson State (.308), UNC Greensboro (.308), New Mexico (.305), New Mexico State (.305), Arizona (.301). Bryant (.299), Tennessee Tech (.298) and Air Force (.297) during that span.
> Last season, SDSU finished with a team batting average of .335, which ranked second in the country.
YOUTH SHALL BE SERVED
> In all, San Diego State has had 20 of 37 players make their initial appearances in an Aztec uniform this season, including 10 true freshmen.
> Shaun Montoya, a redshirt freshman, has started 25 of 28 games in the outfield (16 RF, 10 CF) and leads all SDSU rookies with a .292 batting average while sharing the top spot among newcomers in hits (26) with Irvin Weems.
> A native of Rancho Cucamonga, California, Montoya batted a combined .714 (10-14) with seven runs and five RBIs in the three-game series at New Mexico, garnering Mountain West Freshman of the Week accolades on April 18. The UC Irvine transfer posted four hits in each of the first two encounters with the Lobos, becoming the first Aztec player to record four hits in consecutive games since Danny Sheehan accomplished the feat at Air Force in May 2017.
> In 12 Mountain West games as a starter, Montoya also tops the squad with a .457 batting average (21-46) while ranking second with a .510 on-base percentage and fifth with a .522 slugging percentage.
> Weems, a true freshman, has also started 26 of 32 games in the outfield (23 CF, 3 RF) and has compiled a .274 batting average, including a .458 pace (11-24) during a season-long six-game hitting streak from April 9-16, when he posted eight stolen bases, seven RBIs and six runs scored.
> In the second game of the MW series at San José State that was completed on March 20, Weems went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored, highlighted by his first collegiate homer, a two-run shot in the eighth. In the series finale against the Spartans, the Las Vegas native added two more hits and swiped his first career base.
> Fellow classmate Tyler Glowacki (.247), an alumnus of nearby Santana High School, has started 26 games in the outfield (20 RF, 6 LF) and ranks fourth among all SDSU rookies with 24 hits while sharing the third spot on the squad with five doubles.
> In addition to Montoya, Glowacki (March 7) and infielder Alex Rodriguez (Feb. 21) have netted Mountain West Freshman of the Week honors.
STREAKING AZTECS
> Freshman Irvin Weems has reached base in 14 consecutive games since April 2, followed by Poncho Ruiz (13) and Brian Leonhardt (11).
> Cole Carrigg leads the Scarlet and Black with multiple hits in 19 games, accomplishing the feat in three straight outings and seven of his last nine starts, followed by Caden Miller (13), Ruiz (12) and Leonhardt (11).
> A sophomore utility player, Carrigg became just the second Aztec player in the last six seasons to record six hits in a single game (Jaden Fein - 2021) when he notched a career-high 6-for-6 effort at New Mexico on April 15.
> In addition, Carrigg tops the squad with multiple RBIs in nine contests, highlighted by the aforementioned performance vs. the Lobos, where he set a collegiate best with four runners driven in.
> Ruiz owns the team's longest active hitting streak at six games, raising his batting average from .285 to .310 during that span.
> Earlier, Ruiz had his nine-game hitting streak snapped in the second game of the Arizona State series on March 6, which marked the team's longest this season.
> Ruiz is the lone Aztec to start all 42 games this season, earning 33 starts at catcher and nine at designated hitter. The SDSU sophomore has batted third in 40 games and twice in the cleanup position.
> Miller, meanwhile, made 34 consecutive starts before sitting out the series finale at New Mexico on April 17. The SDSU sophomore has started nine of the last 11 games at second base after playing exclusively at shortstop.
> Additionally, Carrigg ranks third on the squad with 40 position starts, including 14 at second base, 11 at shortstop, nine in center field, five at catcher and one at designated hitter.
STRIKEOUTS GALORE
> San Diego State has recorded double-digit strikeouts in 18 of 42 games this year, including a season-high 21 vs. Hawai'i in 15 innings on Feb. 28.
> Troy Melton fanned a career-best10 hitters in a home start against San José State on April 8, marking the highest total by an Aztec pitcher this season and the most since Logan Boyer also struck out 10 batters vs. San Francisco on Feb. 15, 2018.
> Following Melton are Jonny Guzman ad Kelena Sauer, both of whom posted career-high strikeouts with nine Ks apiece. Guzman fanned nine hitters in his first collegiate start at UC Irvine on Feb. 22, while Sauer accomplished the feat against UNLV on March 12.
> In addition, four other Aztec hurlers have compiled career-best totals with over five strikeouts this season: TJ Fondtain (8 vs. San José State, April 9), Jacob Flores (7 vs. Utah, Feb. 27), Jadon Bercovich (7 vs. Hawaii, Feb.28), Chris Canada (7 vs. Long Beach State, April 5) and Hunter Hargett (6 at UC San Diego, April 19).
> Entering the weekend, Melton (42) and Guzman (41) occupy the eighth and ninth spots in the Mountain West, respectively, while Flores (40) ranks 10th, followed by Fondtain (37), who is tied for 11th.
> Collectively, San Diego State ranks second in the Mountain West with 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings, which ranks 74th in the nation.
> Dating back to 2019, the Aztecs are 42-28 in their last 70 games when striking out 10 or more batters.
OTHER TRENDS
> The Aztecs are 102-27 in their last 129 games when scoring five or more runs, including a stellar 29-6 record last year after posting a 6-2 mark in 2020.
> San Diego State is 68-42 in its last 108 games following a loss, including an 11-5 mark in 2021. The Scarlet and Black is off to an 10-20 start this season in games following a loss.
> SDSU had won six straight games when leading after eight innings until San José State snapped that streak with a combined seven runs in the top ninth and 10th on April 9 to steal an 11-8 victory.
> The Aztecs are 6-5 so far this year in one-run games, recording four of their six victories in that category by 4-3 scores.
HEAD COACH MARK MARTINEZ
> Mark Martinez is in his eighth season as head coach of the Aztecs and 17th overall as a member of the San Diego State staff after succeeding the late Tony Gwynn on August 20, 2014. He is just the fifth head coach in SDSU history since baseball was elevated to major sport status in 1936.
> During his tenure as the Aztecs' head coach, Martinez has compiled a 227-180 record (.558), highlighted by three Mountain West tournament championships in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
> Since 2015, SDSU has garnered 30 all-Mountain West accolades under Martinez's tutelage, including back-to-back MW Pitchers of the Year Brett Seeburger (2017) and Garrett Hill (2018), as well as 2017 MW Player of the Year Danny Sheehan.
> Additionally, Martinez has mentored three freshman All-Americans in Chase Calabuig (2015), Casey Schmitt (2018) and Jaden Fein (2019), with the latter also receiving Mountain West Co-Freshman of the Year distinction last year.
> In 2017, Martinez recorded his 100th victory for the Scarlet and Black, becoming the fastest head coach in program history to reach the century mark in wins.
> Not to be outdone, Martinez also became the fastest head coach in Mountain West history to win three conference championships when the Aztecs captured the title in 2018.
> Martinez was hired as an assistant coach for the Aztecs in July of 2005 and served for nine years under head coach Tony Gwynn. During that time, he was promoted to the position of associate head coach.
> Since his arrival on The Mesa as an assistant coach, Martinez has witnessed 49 SDSU players get drafted into the professional ranks, with 10 of those selections making the major leagues (Stephen Strasburg, Addison Reed, Justin Masterson, Bruce Billings, Quintin Berry, Lance Zawadzki, Greg Allen, Ty France, Seby Zavala and Alan Trejo).
> Prior to his arrival at San Diego State, Martinez was an assistant coach at New Mexico for 17 seasons from 1989-2005. During his time as a hitting and infield coach, he helped develop the Lobos into one of the most prominent offensive teams in the country, with UNM ranking among the top 11 nationally in hitting over his final four seasons.
> Martinez served as an assistant at his alma mater, Mesa State College (now Colorado Mesa University) in Grand Junction, Colorado, from 1984-88. He played shortstop at the school from 1982-84, earning all-conference and all-district honors as a senior.
> Martinez graduated from Mesa State College (now Colorado Mesa) with a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1984 and completed his master's in sports administration at New Mexico in 1990.
> During the offseason, Martinez signed a three-year contract extension that will keep him at San Diego State through the 2026 season.
Aztecs Travel to Fresno State This Weekend
