SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – San Diego State dropped a 6-3 decision to Cal Poly on Tuesday in the opener of a non-conference midweek series at Baggett Stadium.
The Mustangs combined for five runs in the third and fourth innings to erase a 2-1 deficit and pull away for the victory, improving to 15-11 on the season, while the Aztecs slip to 8-18 overall.
Ryan Baum (2-3) picked up the win in relief, allowing one run on two hits and one walk in four innings after replacing starter Josh Volmerding to start the fourth. Meanwhile, Taylor Sagouspe retired the side in the ninth to earn his fourth save of the year.
Conversely, Chris Canada (0-3) was saddled with the loss after yielding three runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks in three innings of work.
Cal Poly plated an unearned run in the first when Ryan Stafford walked and took third on a muffed throw at second base during a stolen base attempt before crossing the plate on Ryan Fenn's groundout.
SDSU responded with a pair of markers in the third when Irvin Weems doubled home Finley Bates and Shaun Montoya scored on Colby Turner's sacrifice fly. Previously, Bates led off with a double down the left-field line, while Montoya reached on a bunt single to second.
However, the Aztecs' slim 2-1 advantage was short-lived, as the Mustangs tallied two runs on RBI singles by Fenn and Alejandro Garza in the bottom of the frame to vault in front for good.
Cal Poly stretched the margin to 6-2 with three runs on four hits off reliever Chris Canavan in the fourth. Joe Yorke drove in a pair of runners with a double to right-center after Stafford plated Dylan Kordic with a two-bagger of his own.
The score remained unchanged until the seven when Montoya tripled down the right-field line and promptly touched home on Weems' groundout to third.
SDSU put a runner on in the eighth when David Whittle reached on an infield single to third off Jaccob Torres with two outs but was quickly erased moments later on a fielder's choice.
In all, the Aztecs stranded eight runners for the night, while the Mustangs left nine of their own men on.
SDSU threatened in the first when Weems drew a two-out walk, while Turner followed with a double to left. However, Volmerding induced a flyout to avoid trouble.
Montoya and Bates led the Scarlet and Black with two hits apiece, while Stafford, Garza and Fenn matched that total for the Mustangs in the win.
The Aztecs' third reliever of the contest, Michael Caruso, pitched three scoreless innings with a season-high five strikeouts.
San Diego State and Cal Poly conclude their brief series on Wednesday, starting a 6 p.m. PT. The Aztecs-Mustangs clash will air live via subscription basis on ESPN+.
Aztecs Toppled at Cal Poly in Series Opener, 6-3
