Late Surge Lifts No. 21 UCSB Past Aztecs, 7-5

SAN DIEGO – San Diego State dropped a tough 7-5 decision to No. 21 UC Santa Barbara on Saturday at Tony Gwynn Stadium after a late rally fell short.

Trailing 5-0, the Aztecs tied the score in the bottom of the eighth, only to see the Gauchos counter with a pair of runs in the top of the ninth to escape with the win.

With the result, SDSU slips to 3-4 overall, while UCSB raises its record to 5-1 on the young season.

Stymied by Gaucho starter Jackson Flora (0 R, 2 H, 6 K) for much of the night, the Aztecs tallied five runs on two hits and four walks off relievers AJ Krodel and Cole Tryba, sending 11 batters to the plate in that wild eighth inning.

After Krodel walked the bases loaded sprinkled with a strikeout, Tryba took the mound and quickly hit Zane Kelly with a pitch, bringing in Drew Rutter.

Moments later, Daniel Arambula’s RBI single plated Finley Bates before Kelly raced home behind Jake Jackson on pinch-hitter Sammy Kahler’s clutch single to center.

Shortly thereafter, Jonathan Smith drew a walk, while Tryba received a temporary reprieve with a strikeout. Rutter then stepped to the plate for the second time in the frame and was plunked on an 0-1 delivery, as Arambula trotted home, resulting in a pitching change.

Nic Peterson entered and almost immediately induced a flyout to end the Aztec threat and keep the score knotted at 3-3.

Aztec relievers Thomas Young and Peyton Rodgers labored through the decisive ninth inning as UCSB benefited from two walks, two infield singles and a hit batter to eke out the win.

After opening the frame with a strikeout of Jack Holman, Young issued walks to Nate Vargas and Cole Kosciusko, which prompted a call to Rodgers, who was snake-bit by a ground ball that bounced into proverbial no-man’s land between second, short and the pitcher’s mound.

Shortly thereafter, Rowan Kelly rolled a single to the deep hole at shortstop, bringing home pinch runner Nolan Farley. With the bases still loaded, Ian Fernandez was then hit by a pitch, forcing in Kosciusko with the final run of the contest.

Rodgers fanned Corey Nunez and induced a flyout to Xavier Esquer to prevent further damage.

However, SDSU failed to capitalize on a leadoff walk to Nevan Noonan as Peterson was the beneficiary of a double play before getting a strikeout to end the game.

Peterson (1-0) earned the victory, while Young (0-1) was saddled with the tough loss.

Aztec starter Xavier Cardenas III struck out seven batters in 4 1/3 innings but gave up two runs on two hits and six walks before giving way to three middle relievers.

Vargas led all players with two hits and three RBIs in the win for UCSB.

San Diego State closes out the Tony Gwynn Legacy on Sunday when it hosts Pepperdine at 5 p.m. PT.