SAN DIEGO – Tino Bethancourt's RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth gave San Diego State a much-needed 5-4 victory over UC Riverside Tuesday night in a non-conference clash at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
With the win, the Aztecs (6-10) snap a two-game losing streak and avenge a 13-9 setback to the Highlanders (9-8) last month in Riverside. The Scarlet and Black also received a measure of redemption after surrendering two runs on passed balls with two outs earlier in the contest.
Trailing 4-3 entering the final inning, Irvin Weems led off with a pinch-hit home run, crushing an 0-2 pitch deep over the fence in left field to tie the contest, while Manoah Chapman followed with a looping fly ball to right that dropped in for a base hit.
Shortly thereafter, UCR's Tyler Weaver mishandled the ball attempting to force out pinch runner Jake Jackson at second base on Jacob McCombs' grounder up the middle and behind the bag, which kept both runners alive.
Ruben Rodriguez quickly entered as a pinch runner for McCombs at first, with he and Jackson advancing thanks to pitcher Julian Orozco's throwing error to second on a failed pickoff attempt.
After Finley Bates struck out, Shaun Montoya was intentionally walked to load the bases. Orozco then retired Brady Lavoie on a called third strike, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Bethancourt promptly stepped to the plate and ripped an 0-1 pitch through the left side of the infield past a diving Dominic Martinez at third, as the Aztec dugout erupted in jubilation after Jackson crossed the plate.
Bethancourt's clutch hit gave freshman reliever Evan Miranda (1-0) his first collegiate victory, while Orozco (2-2) was tagged with the loss.
Miranda pitched a scoreless inning in the top of the ninth, allowing one walk to Weaver, who was picked off at first after Zach Tallerman struck out.
Previously, Chris Canada made his first relief appearance of the season a successful one, overcoming a Cole Koniarsky single and a wild pitch with three strikeouts.
At the plate, Bethancourt, Chapman and Lavoie finished with two hits apiece for SDSU in the victory.
The Highlanders were gifted a run in the first when Bubba Rocha raced home on a passed ball with two outs after leading off with a walk and advancing on Zachary Chamizo's single and Koniarsky's double-play grounder to second.
Aztec starter Garvey Rumary was seemingly out of danger after Jayden Lopez struck out swinging. However, Lopez reached first after the ball skipped off David Whittle's glove and rolled into no-man's land in foul territory, as a late throw to the bag allowed Rocha to score.
Unfazed, Lavoie knotted the game in the bottom of the inning with his first home run of the year, a towering shot to right on a 2-2 offering from UCR starter Jake Gebb.
SDSU plated two additional markers in the third when Zane Kelly doubled and eventually scored on Bates' sacrifice fly, while Lavoie singled and took third on Bethancourt's double before continuing home when Lopez bobbled the ball in left field.
The Aztecs' 3-1 advantage was short-lived, however, as the Highlanders responded with two runs in the fourth to tie the score. Nick Poss drew a one-out walk and motored home on Weaver's double to the gap in right center. Issac Araiza spelled Rumary at this juncture and struck out Tallerman. However, Jayden Sanchez threaded a grounder through the left side of the infield to bring home Weaver.
UCR capitalized on two more passed balls in the fifth, as Rocha was again the beneficiary, scoring from third with two outs on the latter miscue to give the visitors a 4-3 edge. Earlier, the Highlander designated hitter led off with a single, advancing on the initial passed ball and Koniarsky's groundout to second.
The score remained unchanged until ninth, as UCR middle reliever Alfredo Capacete III tossed four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and two walks to go with five strikeouts.
Orozco spelled Capacete and struck out the side in the eighth before enduring the fateful ninth.
In his second start this year, Rumary yielded three runs (two earned) on two hits and three walks while posting two strikeouts before giving way to Issac Araiza with one out in the fourth.
San Diego State will hit the road this weekend, traveling to the Front Range of the Rockies for a three-game Mountain West series against Air Force, March 15-17.
Aztecs Celebrate Walk-Off Victory over UCR, 5-4
