SAN DIEGO – On a day that witnessed several brilliant performances, Jacob Riordan's star shined the brightest after pitching a no-hitter in the second game of a doubleheader against New Mexico, as San Diego State completed the Friday sweep by scores of 8-6 and 13-0 at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
A graduate transfer from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Riordan tossed the ninth no-hitter in program history, overcoming six walks and a hit batter by matching his season high with eight strikeouts to raise his record to 3-1 on the year.
In addition, Riordan's performance gives the Aztecs a no-hitter for the first time in consecutive seasons after TJ Fondtain accomplished the feat against Nevada on April 21, 2023.
SDSU provided Riordan with ample offensive support, pounding out season highs in hits (16), doubles (5), RBIs (11) and runs scored (13) to secure the victory.
With a comfortable lead safely in tow, Riordan needed just three outs to complete his masterpiece; however, the Atlanta, Georgia, native struck Konner Kinkade with a pitch to lead off the seventh inning.
Unfazed, Riordan induced a flyout to Devon Dixon and an infield fly to Luke Mansy before Khalil Walker tapped into a fielder's choice at second base, as the Aztec bench erupted in jubilation.
SDSU scored in each of the first five innings, as five players finished with multiple hits, including Shaun Montoya's 4-for-5 effort at the plate, while Colby Turner went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, highlighted by a two-run homer in the fifth.
In addition, Finley Bates, Irvin Weems and Sammy Kahler totaled two hits apiece for the Scarlet and Black in the victory.
Leading 6-0, the Aztecs broke open the contest with five markers in the fourth, with Kahler and Bates supplying RBI doubles sandwiched around Xavier Gonzalez's two-run single.
The Lobos used five pitchers for game, including starter Ryan Castillo (1-1), who was tagged with the loss after allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits in three-plus innings of work.
With the sweep, SDSU captures its first series victory of the season, moving to 8-17 overall and 4-8 in conference action, while UNM slips to 16-11 on the year and 7-5 in MW play.
In addition, the Aztecs have won 16 of the last 18 meetings with the Lobos dating back to 2021.
GAME ONE RECAP
Earlier in Friday's opener, San Diego State survived a late New Mexico rally, emerging with an 8-6 triumph to snap a seven-game losing streak.
Irvin Weems launched a pair of two-run homers, while Omar Serrano (2-3) pitched seven scoreless innings of his own, offsetting four hits and one walk with five strikeouts to earn the victory.
In addition, Tino Bethancourt went 3-for-5 at the plate, delivering a clutch two-run single in the first after Finley Bates doubled and scored on a botched double play attempt following Colby Turner's grounder back to the pitcher.
The Aztecs increased their advantage to 5-0 in the fourth when Montoya singled and scored on Weems' towering shot over the fence in left on the first offering from starter Daxton Purser (0-1).
The score remained unchanged until the eighth when Jake Holland belted a three-run homer off reliever Xavier Cardenas III, while Reed Spenrath followed with solo shot off Garvey Rumary, which narrowed the gap to 5-4.
Issac Araiza entered at this juncture and struck out Devon Dixon and Akili Carris to prevent further damage after issuing a walk to Ethan Ott.
In the bottom of the frame, Weems went yard for the second time in the contest after Montoya reached on a fielder's choice, crushing a 2-0 pitch from reliever David Lopez, while Bethancourt singled and scored on an errant relay throw after Josh Quezada doubled to right, extending the SDSU lead to 8-4.
SDSU would need that insurance, as UNM trimmed the margin in the ninth on Spenrath's two-run double to straight-away center with two outs. However, Araiza got Sean Stephens looking on a called third strike to end the game.
Despite yielding those two markers in the ninth, Araiza picked up his first career save after striking out four batters in 1 2/3 innings pitched.
In addition to Bethancourt's production, Bates finished with three hits of his own to tie for game-high honors.
Purser was charged with the loss after surrendering five runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks in 3 1/3 innings to go with seven strikeouts.
THE NOTE
Aztec pitchers limited New Mexico to a .155 batting average for the series (13-84) after the Lobos entered the week with a conference-leading .332 clip.
UP NEXT
San Diego State travels up the coast to San Luis Obispo for two non-conference games against Cal Poly, April 2-3, before continuing north to the Bay Area where it will battle MW rival San José State, April 5-7, at Stephen Schott Stadium on the Santa Clara University campus.
Riordan's No-Hitter Punctuates Aztec Sweep of UNM
