SAN DIEGO – Behind Jacob Riordan's eight-strikeout performance and a balanced offense, San Diego State defeated Nevada by a 5-3 count in the first game of a Mountain West series Friday at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
With the victory, the Aztecs snapped a two-game losing streak, moving to 5-8 on the season and 2-2 in conference play, while the Wolf Pack dropped their sixth in a row, falling to 4-7 overall and 0-1 in MW action.
A graduate transfer from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Riordan (2-0) made his first start in a Scarlet and Black uniform a memorable one, fanning a season-high eight batters en route to his second victory of the year. The SDSU right-hander allowed three runs on five hits and four walks in 6.0 innings of work before giving way to three relievers.
At the plate, Finley Bates provided an early spark with his first collegiate home run, a solo shot in the bottom of the first inning, while Jacob McCombs, Jake Jackson and Xavier Gonzalez finished with two hits apiece and one run scored to help the Scarlet and Black raise its record to 4-5 at home this season.
Nevada opened the scoring in the top of the first when Bryce Matthews reached on a fielder's choice grounder to short, plating Jesse Pierce, who previously led off with a single, stole second and advanced on a wild pitch.
In the interim JR Freethy walked, while Nolan Wilson was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Following Matthews' RBI, however, Riordan prevented further damage by striking out Justin Acal before inducing a flyout to Michael Ball.
SDSU responded with three markers in its half of the frame to take the lead for good. Bates crushed the first pitch over the fence in left-center field, while McCombs knocked in Shaun Montoya with a double high off the wall down the right-field line.
Earlier, Montoya walked, stole second and advanced on a throwing error by Wolf Pack catcher Jake Harvey. Shortly thereafter, Jackson reached on an infield hit deep behind second, where Ball threw wildly past Pierce at first base, allowing McCombs to race home.
The Aztecs increased their advantage with a single tally the third when Jackson crossed the plate on Gonzalez's sacrifice fly to left.
Trailing 4-1, Nevada trimmed the deficit on Ball's RBI single in the fourth, while Matthews followed with a run-scoring double in the fifth.
SDSU added some insurance in the sixth off Wolf Pack reliever Nico Wagner when Montoya singled home Gonzalez to account for the 5-3 margin. Previously, Gonzalez reached on a base hit to right and took second on Bates' slow roller to short.
Meanwhile, the Aztec bullpen took charge at this juncture, as Chris Canavan, Evan Miranda and Jadon Bercovich each tossed one scoreless frame while combining for six strikeouts to close out the game. In the ninth, Bercovich retired the Wolf Pack in order for his first save of the season and second of his career.
Despite giving up a hit and a walk, Miranda struck out the side in the eighth, while Bercovich fanned two batters in his appearance.
Nevada starter Jason Doktorczyk (2-1) was tagged with the loss after yielding four runs (three earned) on seven hits and four walks to with five strikeouts in five innings, while Matthews (2 RBIs) and Ball totaled two hits apiece for the visitors.
In all, the Wolf Pack stranded nine runners for the game, while SDSU left eight men on base.
San Diego State and Nevada continue their series on Saturday, starting at 6 p.m. PT. The contest will air live on the Mountain West Network.
Aztecs Defeat Nevada in Series Opener, 5-3
