Aztecs Outlast UC San Diego in Tuesday Night Road Clash

LA JOLLA, Calif. – San Diego State notched it second win of the season with a 10-7 triumph over UC San Diego on Tuesday at Triton Ballpark.

The Aztecs plated all their runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings to win their third straight against the Tritons and even their record at 2-2 on the year.

Every SDSU starter notched at least one hit, as the Scarlet and Black maintained a 13-5 advantage in that category. Drew Rutter set a career high with three hits and scored two runs, while Nevan Noonan (2 H, 2 R), Daniel Arambula and CJ Moran totaled two RBIs apiece.

The Aztecs utilized seven pitchers on the night, including Chris Canada (1-0), who picked up his first victory since April 29, 2023, vs. UNLV.

Despite allowing two unearned runs on two hits and three walks, Canada was credited with the win after tossing two innings in relief of Evan Miranda, who yielded one run in the first two frames, offsetting one hit and two walks with a trio of strikeouts in his first collegiate start.

Meanwhile, Peyton Rodgers slammed the proverbial door on UCSD’s comeback hopes with a solid outing to record his second save of the season. The SDSU freshman pitched the final 2 2/3 innings of the contest without giving up a hit, posting three strikeouts against two walks after the Tritons (1-3) narrowed the gap to 10-7.

With the score knotted at 3-3, the Aztecs sent 11 batters to the plate in the decisive fourth inning, erupting for six runs on six hits to take the lead for good.

Finley Bates reached on an error at second base, bringing home Sammy Kahler and Gage Adams, who led off the frame with a single and walk, respectively. Moments later, Noonan knocked in Bates with a base hit up the middle and promptly stole second before racing home on Moran’s double down the left-field line.  

The hit parade continued as Arambula drove in Moran with a sharp liner to left, while Zane Kelly reached on an infield hit before Kahler followed with his second single of the inning to plate Arambula.

SDSU tacked on a run in the fifth when Rutter walked, stole second and ultimately crossed the plate on Noonan’s double left, extending the Aztec lead to 10-3.

The Tritons tallied two markers in the bottom of the fifth on consecutive sacrifice flies by J.C. Allen and Trevian Martinez after Alex Leopard, Emiliano Gonzalez and Gabe Camacho drew walks.

UCSD tallied single markers in the sixth and seventh on Leopard’s RBI double and Cooper Thacker’s bases-loaded walk, respectively, but could draw no closer.

With the Aztecs’ nursing a precarious 10-7 lead, Rodgers overcame the walk to Thacker by inducing a pop fly to Anthony Potestio and a fielder’s choice grounder to Michael Crossland.

Rodgers allowed just two runners to reach base the rest of the way, including Patrick Hackworth, who got aboard on an error in the ninth but was left stranded at second base after the SDSU closer froze Potestio on a called third strike to end the game.

The two teams utilized seven pitchers apiece, combining for 21 walks, including 13 by the Aztecs in the 4-hour-and-20-minute affair.

Hackworth led UCSD with two hits, while Allen led all players with three RBIs.

Trailing 1-0, SDSU put up a three-spot in the third when Jake Jackson and Moran drew consecutive walks, while Arambula followed with a sacrifice fly.

The Tritons then tied the score in their half of the inning on Allen’s two-run single, plating Leopard and Gonzalez, who previously walked.

UCSD’s third reliever of the contest Landon Marchetti (0-1), who entered with one out in the third, was tagged with the loss after giving up four runs (three earned) on two hits and two walks in one inning of work.

UP NEXT
San Diego State returns to the diamond for its home opener on Thursday, Feb. 20, when it welcomes Seattle to “America’s Finest City” in the first game of the Tony Gwynn Legacy. Game time set for 6 p.m. PT, and the contest will air live on the Mountain West Network.