RIVERSIDE, Calif. – In the first meeting between the two squads in nearly five years, San Diego State dropped a 3-1 decision to UC Riverside on Tuesday in a non-conference clash at Riverside Sports Complex.
With the loss, the Aztecs slip to 4-7 on the young season, while the Highlanders raise their record to 5-7 overall.
Eight SDSU pitchers each tossed one inning, including freshman Aidan Russell, who opened the contest, along with fellow classmates Sam Purgason and Xavier Cardenas III—all of whom made their first appearances in a Scarlet and Black uniform.
Reigning Mountain West Player of the Week Poncho Ruiz extended his hitting and RBI streak to seven games, but it wasn't enough for the Aztecs to avoid their second straight defeat.
Shaun Montoya set a career high with three stolen bases, including one in the top of the first after bunting for a one-out base hit. Following a flyout, the SDSU sophomore advanced on a wild pitch and promptly scored when Ruiz singled to center.
That would be the lone run of the game for the Aztecs, who had runners thrown out at second on three other stolen base attempts, derailing potential scoring chances.
Conversely, UCR jumped in front for good in the third with two runs on three hits off Tyson De Wall, SDSU's third pitcher of the night who took over for Connor Abadie.
Anthony McFarland reached on an infield hit and took second on Jacob Shanks' grounder to first before racing home on Jayden Lopez's RBI single through the right side. Lopez moved into scoring position on the previous throw home and ultimately touched the plate after Anthony delivered another single that snuck through the left side.
The Highlanders plated another marker in the fourth off Purgason to account for the final score. Alphonzo Mancinas lifted a one-out double to right and eventually took third on a failed pickoff attempt before trotting home on Jacob Badawi's single.
SDSU threatened with two outs in the fifth when Caden Miller singled and Irvin Weems roped a double down the left-field line. However, Alexander Rivas extinguished the threat by inducing a groundout.
The Aztecs were also presented with a scoring opportunity in the sixth off Blake Burzell when Cole Carrigg drew a leadoff walk, stole second and moved to third on Ruiz's groundout. Tino Bethancourt was issued a walk moments later; however, Jack Weeks was summoned from the bullpen and kept the Scarlet and Black off the board thanks to a double-play grounder.
SDSU put a runner aboard in each of the final two frames but could not capitalize. Jake Gebb and Cruz Barrios each recorded inning-ending strikeouts in the eighth and ninth, respectively.
Despite allowing three hits, Rivas (1-1) picked up the victory after pitching the fourth and fifth innings in relief of starter Caleb Turner, who gave up one run on three hits and a walk in the first three frames, while Barrios collected the save.
Conversely, De Wall (0-1) was saddled with the loss after pitching the fateful third. Russell yielded just one hit in a scoreless first inning, while Cardenas issued a walk in the sixth but still struck out the side looking to highlight his first initial Aztec appearance. Brian Leonhardt (5th, 1 SO) and Julian Jackson (8th, 2 SO) also saw action on the hill for the Scarlet and Black.
The Highlanders out-hit the Aztecs 10-7, with Mata, Mancinas and Nick Poss finishing with two apiece. On the flip side Miller and Ruiz total two hits each for SDSU.
Despite the setback, the Aztecs still lead the all-time series 41-28-2. Prior to Tuesday's contest, SDSU swept two games from UC Riverside during the 2018 campaign.
San Diego State returns to action this weekend when it ventures to the Bay Area for a three-game Mountain West series against San José State, March 10-12, at Excite Ballpark in San Jose, California.
Aztecs Fall Short at UC Riverside, 3-1
