LA JOLLA, Calif. – Despite having seven hurlers combine for 10 strikeouts, San Diego State was edged by UC San Diego, 2-1, in a pitcher's duel Tuesday night at Triton Ballpark.
The Aztecs (7-13) were limited to just one hit for the contest, as the Tritons (16-6) won their fourth straight in the head-to-head series dating back to last season and extended their winning streak to 11 games overall.
UCSD scored all the runs it needed in the bottom of the fifth when Doyle Kane drove home Patrick Hackworth and Nick Costello with a single to center field.
With Aidan Russell on the mound to start the inning, Hackworth reached on a fielder's choice, while Costello was struck on the arm before both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Matt Halbach was then intentionally walked to load the bases, while Ricky Tibbett was summoned from the bullpen, setting the stage for Kane's decisive hit.
Russell (0-1) was charged with both runs and absorbed loss; however, Tibbett prevented further damage by striking out Michael Fuhrman and Crew Robinson in succession.
SDSU responded with a run in the sixth when Cade Martinez raced home on Irvin Weems' groundout to second, trimming the margin to 2-1. Previously, Martinez led off with a walk and moved into scoring position on a passed ball and another groundout by David Whittle.
The Tritons had a chance to extend their lead in the bottom of the frame after a base hit to right by Luke Solis and a bunt single by Luke Saunders. However, Brian Leonhardt ultimately struck out the side, fanning the final two batters, including Costello, who froze on a called third strike to end the inning.
The Aztecs got a runner aboard with two outs in both the seventh and eighth but could not capitalize, as Xavier Gonzalez and Whittle were left stranded after drawing a walk and reaching on an error, respectively, in those two innings.
Earlier in the third, Weems recorded what proved to be SDSU's lone hit of the night with a single up the middle but was caught stealing at second shortly thereafter.
Both teams utilized seven pitchers for the game, including Seth Sumner (1-0), UCSD's third hurler who retired the Scarlet and Black in order in the fifth to earn the victory, while Ryan Rissas duplicated the feat in the ninth to pick up the save.
Along with Leonhardt and Tibbett's aforementioned strikeouts, starter Xavier Cardenas III and reliever Kelena Sauer fanned two batters apiece for the Aztecs as well.
San Diego State will head back on the road this weekend when it travels to the Land of Enchantment for a three-game series at New Mexico, March 31-April 2. All three contests will air live on the Mountain West Network.
Aztecs Edged In Pitcher's Duel at UCSD, 2-1
