SAN DIEGO – San Diego State fell victim to a late surge by visiting San Diego on Tuesday, as the Toreros combined for eight runs during the seventh and eighth innings to claim a 9-2 victory in a non-conference game at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
With the loss, the Aztecs slip to 4-8 on the season, while USD moves to 6-5 overall.
Two-time reigning Mountain West Freshman of the Week Colby Turner went 3-for-4 at the plate with a run scored, while Jacob McCombs launched his third homer of the season to help give the Scarlet and Black a 2-1 lead that stood until the seventh when the Toreros vaulted in front for good.
Ariel Armas led off the fateful frame for USD with a single before circling the bases on Angelo Peraza's double to the gap in right center. Shortly thereafter, Dustin Allen reached on a bunt single, while Jack Gurevitch grounded out to second, plating Peraza to give the visitors a 3-2 edge.
The Toreros essentially put the game out of reach with a pair of three-run homers in the eighth by Peraza and Jack Costello, capitalizing on two walks, a hit batter and an SDSU throwing error.
With two runners aboard after Ryan Ward was hit by a pitch and Armas reached on a fielder's choice, Peraza went deep for the first time this year, while Costello connected for his third blast of the season moments later after Allen walked and Gurevitch reached on an errant throw to first following a grounder to the pitcher.
Trailing 9-2, the Aztecs loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth when Drew Rutter doubled down the left-field line and Manoah Chapman was hit by a pitch before Brady Lavoie drew a walk.
However, USD's fifth pitcher of the night, Vaughn Mauterer, received a strikeout and a fielder's choice grounder to end the game.
The teams combined to utilize 12 hurlers for the game, including seven for San Diego State.
Despite allowing two hits and a pair of walks in one inning-plus, Ivran Romero (1-1) earned the victory, fending off trouble in the sixth after Turner singled up the middle and advanced to second on a wild pitch before Irvin Weems drew a walk. However, the Torero right-hander struck out McCombs to prevent the Aztecs from extending their 2-1 lead.
SDSU also threatened in the seventh when Rutter walked and motored around to third on Tino Bethancourt's sharp single to left. However, Conner Thurman replaced Romero and promptly struck out the next three hitters to derail another scoring opportunity for the Aztecs.
In all, both teams stranded nine baserunners for the evening.
USD opened the scoring in the first when Costello's sacrifice fly plated Peraza, who led off the game with a walk.
SDSU responded with McCombs' third dinger of the season with one out in the second, with the Aztec designated hitter cranking a 1-2 pitch over the fence in right off Torero starter Ryan Kysar.
SDSU added a single marker in the fourth when Weems doubled home Turner, who previously laced a one-out single through the left side.
Freshman Garvey Rumary made his first collegiate start on Tuesday, yielding one run on three hits and four walks to go with a season-high four strikeouts in four innings of work.
Rumary's counterpart Kysar also fanned four batters in five innings pitched, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk.
San Diego State continues its homestand this weekend when it plays host to Nevada in a three-game Mountain West series, March 8-10, at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
Friday's clash is scheduled for a 5 p.m. start, and those fans displaying their ticket to the SDSU-Boise State men's basketball showdown will receive free admission to the Aztecs-Wolf Pack baseball game.
Aztecs Derailed by Late Surge in 9-2 Loss to USD
