SAN DIEGO – San Diego State erupted for seven runs in the ninth inning to stun visiting CSU Bakersfield by an 11-6 count Saturday at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
Shaun Montoya scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch, while Jacob McCombs capped the furious rally with his second grand slam of the week, giving the Aztecs (3-3) their second straight victory at the annual Tony Gwynn Legacy and keeping the Roadrunners (0-7) winless on the season.
Playing as the road team on its own field for this contest, SDSU was seemingly in control after taking a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth. However, CSUB sent 13 batters to the plate in its half of the frame, scoring six runs on just two hits while capitalizing on five walks and an error to vault in front, 6-4.
The Aztecs showed little sign of life for the next two innings, mustering one hit apiece in both the seventh and eighth before fighting themselves off the proverbial ropes in the ninth.
SDSU gradually loaded the bases on an infield hit, a fielding error at third and a walk. However, the Scarlet and Black was down to its last out after Jeter Scheurman fanned Brady Lavoie.
Moments later, Sammy Kahler doubled to right center, driving in Jake Jackson and Zane Kelly with the tying runs, while Montoya raced home on a wild pitch, and suddenly the Aztecs were back in the lead.
CSUB changed pitchers after Irvin Weems was hit by a pitch; however, new reliever Ryan Reynolds issued a walk to Colby Turner, which reloaded the bases.
McCombs stepped up to the plate crushed a 1-1 offering from Reynolds over the fence in right, sending the Aztec faithful into a frenzy. The SDSU freshman also belted a grand slam against CSUN on Feb. 21.
Jadon Bercovich (1-1) retired the side in order in the bottom of the frame, striking out the final two batters to collect the victory. The Aztec reliever entered in the eighth and pitched two spotless innings without a hit or a walk while fanning four hitters in his appearance.
Conversely, Scheurman (0-1) absorbed the loss after ceding the go-ahead runs in his brief stint.
CSUB starter Jacob Gutierrez offset three runs on five hits with six strikeouts in 5.1 innings but was lifted in the sixth for Tobias Plotkin, one of five relievers for the Roadrunners.
Meanwhile, Omar Serrano went the same distance for SDSU, yielding two runs on four hits and two walks before giving way to Chris Canavan.
Kahler led all players with three hits and three RBIs for the night, while Montoya and Turner finished with two apiece in the win. Previously, Turner ripped RBI singles in the fifth and sixth.
San Diego State closes out the Tony Gwynn Legacy on Sunday when it plays host to Utah at 6 p.m. PT.
Aztecs Rally Past CSUB, 11-6
