SANTA CLARA, Calif. – San Diego State fell victim to a pair of big innings on Friday, as host San José State raced to a 17-3 victory in the opener of a Mountain West series at Stephen Schott Stadium on the Santa Clara University campus.
The Spartans (10-19, 5-8 MW) scored six runs in both the first and fourth innings, capitalizing on erratic Aztec pitching after combining for just four hits in those frames.
On a blustery evening, SDSU (9-19, 4-9 MW) was plagued by 12 walks, four hit batters and two wild pitches after scoring a pair of markers in the top of the first on an RBI triple by Colby Turner, who promptly crossed the plate on Tino Bethancourt's infield single.
However, SJSU cashed in on its gifted opportunities, as six of its nine hits went for extra bases, featuring home runs by Matt Spear (2-4) and Sebastian Orduno (2-5). Spear led all players with four RBIs, while Orduno and Jackson Forbes totaled three apiece.
After a leadoff walk, Orduno launched a two-run shot in the bottom of the first to tie the score, while Spear capped the big inning with a sacrifice fly before adding a two-run double in the fourth, followed by a solo blast in the sixth.
In the interim, Forbes plated two runners with a triple to right center in the third and later accounted for the final score with an RBI single in the seventh on an infield hit to third.
Nolan George (2-0) struck out seven batters in six scoreless innings of relief to earn the victory, scattering four hits and one walk.
Conversely, Jacob Riordan (3-2) was saddled with the loss, exiting with one out in the fourth after the Spartans built a commanding 12-3 advantage. Relievers Michael Caruso and Trevor Fox followed in succession, pitching 2 1/3 innings with one strikeout apiece.
Finley Bates and Shaun Montoya each had two of the Aztecs' seven hits in the loss. Bates scored SDSU's other run in the third, crossing the plate on Turner's sacrifice fly.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs and Spartans resume their weekend series on Saturday, beginning at 2:05 p.m. PT. San Diego State is expected to start right-hander Omar Serrano (2-3), while SJSU is slated to counter with lefty Micky Thompson (1-3).
Aztecs Drop Series Opener at San José State
