BERKELEY, Calif. – Host San José State scored six unanswered runs on Sunday to pull away for a 7-2 victory over San Diego State in the finale of a Mountain West series at the University of California's Evans Diamond at Stu Gordon Stadium.
Despite the setback, the Aztecs (20-23, 14-9 MW) still maintain a slim advantage atop the conference standings in a tightly bunched field ahead of Air Force (23-26, 14-10 MW), SJSU (22-22, 15-11 MW) and Fresno State (24-23, 13-14).
In MW action next weekend, SDSU will venture to the Academy for a showdown with the Falcons, and the Bulldogs will play host to UNLV, while the Spartans step out of conference for a series at Texas.
On Sunday, the Aztecs dented the scoreboard in the top of the third when Cade Martinez walked and advanced on Irvin Weems' sacrifice bunt before racing home on Cole Carrigg's RBI single through the right side.
However, SJSU responded with a single marker in the bottom of the frame when Theo Hardy doubled to right center and ultimately crossed the plate thanks to consecutive wild pitches by reliever Omar Serrano.
SDSU reclaimed the lead at 2-1 in the top of the fifth when Irwin Weems homered to left with one out for his third round-tripper of the year.
The Aztecs were poised to add to their total after the next batter Shaun Montoya doubled and Poncho Ruiz drew a walk sandwiched around a strikeout. However, Spartan reliever Jesse Gutierrez induced a flyout to TJ Fondtain to prevent further damage.
SDSU's advantage proved to be short-lived, however, as Nik Trapani led off the bottom of the inning with a single to left and took third on Matt Spear's base hit to right center before touching the plate on Robert Hamchuk's sacrifice fly.
San José State vaulted in front for good when Dalton Bowling belted a two-run homer with two outs, plating Hunter Dorraugh, who previously singled.
The Spartans closed out the scoring the seventh with three runs on four hits, including Hardy's solo homer after Spear raced home on a wild pitch by Ricky Tibbett, while Jack Colette doubled off Kelena Sauer and eventually circled the bases on Dorraugh's single through the left side.
Darren Jansen (3-3), SJSU's third reliever of the day, was credited with the victory after pitching four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and a walk against five strikeouts, while Serrano (0-5) was charged with the loss. Despite striking out the side in the fourth, Serrano surrendered four runs on five hits and one walk in four innings of work.
Both starters fanned two hitters in their respective appearances, as Bercovich yielded two hits and a walk in two scoreless frames, while former Aztec Aaron Eden allowed two hits and a walk during his three-inning stint.
The Spartans maintained a 13-7 advantage in hits, including three apiece by Dorraugh and Spear, while Hardy collected two in the victory. On the flip side, Montoya finished with a pair of doubles for the Scarlet and Black, while Fondtain totaled two hits of his own.
San Diego State continues its road swing next weekend when it travels to the Front Range of the Rockies to battle Air Force, May 12-14, at the USAF Academy in Colorado.
Aztecs Drop Series Finale to SJSU, 7-2
