SAN DIEGO – Four San Diego State pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts on Friday, but it wasn't enough as the Aztecs dropped a 5-4 decision to Portland in their 2024 season opener at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
Despite maintaining an 8-4 advantage in hits, the Aztecs (0-1) were plagued by 12 walks and three hit batters in the loss, spoiling the head coaching debut of SDSU skipper Shaun Cole.
The Aztecs held the Pilots (1-0) hitless through 5 2/3 innings but still found themselves on the wrong side of a 2-0 score after the visitors plated a pair of runs in the top of the fourth.
Portland's Ben Patacsil struck out to lead off the inning, but Evan Scavotto and Zach Toglia drew consecutive walks to chase SDSU starter Chris Canada. Aztec reliever Jacob Riordan promptly uncorked a wild pitch before hitting Jonas Salk to load the bases. Moments later, Christian Cooney drew a walk to force in Scavotto from third, while Toglia crossed the plate when Tyler Howard was hit by another pitch after Spencer Scott struck out swinging.
The Pilots extended their lead with two more markers in the seventh, capitalizing on a pair of SDSU errors. Portland's Brady Bean laced a leadoff single, while Patacsil walked before Aztec reliever Issac Araiza struck out Scavotto and Toglia in succession. However, Salk kept the inning alive with a single that was mishandled by right fielder Shaun Montoya, allowing Patacsil to advance to third after Bean darted home from second. Patacsil scored moments later when Araiza's pickoff attempt sailed wide of first.
SDSU finally dented the scoreboard with a run in the bottom of the frame off Portland reliever Jack Folkins, who gave up doubles to Xavier Gonzalez and Evan Sipe sandwiched around a strikeout. Finley Bates followed with a walk but was left stranded after Folkins induced a flyout to end the inning.
Unfazed, the Aztecs responded with three more tallies in the eighth to tie the score. Jake Jackson reached on an error to lead off the frame, while Irvin Weems followed with a single to left. Curtis Hebert took the mound for Folkins at this juncture but Brady Lavoie blooped a double to center, allowing Jackson and Weems to circle the bases. Shortly thereafter, Lavoie scampered home when Gonzalez ripped a single to left, knotting the game at 4-4.
After Gonzalez stole second, however, Hebert fought himself off the ropes with a strikeout and a flyout to prevent further damage.
The Pilots reclaimed the lead in the ninth when Scott lifted a two-out single to center field, plating Scavotto, who led off with a walk and advanced to second on a groundout to the right side.
Tanner Douglass retired the side in the bottom of the inning to save the victory for Hebert (1-0), who was credited with the win despite allowing the tying run in the eighth. Conversely, Jonny Guzman (0-1) was tagged with the loss after pitching the fateful ninth.
Portland starter Nick Brink pitched six scoreless innings, posting nine strikeouts against three hits and one walk but did not factor in the decision.
SDSU had a pair of early chances against Brink; however, Montoya and Colby Turner were left stranded at third base in the first and fourth innings, respectively.
Montoya led off the game for the Aztecs with a single through the right side and later advanced to third on Brink's errant pickoff throw. However, the Pilot hurler followed with a pair of strikeouts and a grounder to extinguish the threat.
Later in the fourth, Turner smacked a triple down the left-field line with two outs in the fourth for his first collegiate hit, but once again Brink came through unscathed, inducing an inning-ending flyout to right.
On the flip side, Canada fanned seven batters of his own and held the Pilots hitless through 3 1/3 innings but yielded two runs on four walks and a hit batter before giving way to Riordan in the fourth.
Despite some wild stretches, Riordan tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings in his Aztec debut, offsetting three walks and one hit with four strikeouts. In addition, Araiza fanned three batters in his stint of 2 1/3 innings, while Guzman struck out one in his appearance.
Gonzalez and Sipe led the Scarlet and Black with two hits apiece, while Scott collected the same total for the visitors.
San Diego State and Portland continue their weekend series at Tony Gwynn Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 17. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT.
Aztecs Fall to Portland in Season Opener, 5-4
