Early Spree Propels Aztecs Past Toreros, 10-4

SAN DIEGO – San Diego State scored early and often in its crosstown battle with the University of San Diego on Tuesday as the Aztecs prevailed by a 10-4 count at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

With the victory, SDSU snapped a three-game losing streak, raising its record to 4-5 overall while keeping the Toreros winless at 0-8 on the young season.

The Aztecs raced to an 8-0 advantage in the first two frames, bolstered by Jake Jackson’s three-run homer in the first, while CJ Moran’s two-run single highlighted a wild second inning.

Along with Moran (2-for-3) and Jackson’s production, SDSU received a career-high three hits from Drew Rutter (3-for-4), while Finley Bates (2-for-4) finished with two hits of his own and scored a pair of runs.

In addition, Nevan Noonan crossed the plate on four occasions after drawing two walks and getting hit by a pair of pitches.

The Aztecs utilized five pitchers for the night, including freshman Peyton Rodgers (1-1), a Torrey Pines High alumnus, who earned his first collegiate victory after tossing 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just one hit and no walks to go with a pair of strikeouts.

Making his first start of the season, Garvey Rumary pitched three innings for the Scarlet and Black, yielding one run on three hits and a pair of walks with two strikeouts.

After Bates led off the first with a single, Noonan was promptly struck by a pitch before Jackson stepped to the plate and cranked a 1-2 offering from Torero starter Dallin Harrison deep over the fence in left-center for his first home run of the season and giving the Aztecs a 3-0 lead they would not relinquish.

After right fielder Jonathan Smith threw out Jonathan Fitz at the plate to end the USD second, SDSU capitalized on two errors and a walk in its half of the frame, sending nine men to the plate to score five runs on just three hits.

Gage Adams drew a lead-off walk and ultimately circled the bases after Rutter followed with a single and Bates beat out an infield hit, with the errant relay throw to skipping past the bag at first.

Bates took second on the miscue before Noonan was hit by a pitch for the second straight inning, which loaded the bases. Jackson then tapped a grounder to first, but Fitz threw wildly past catcher Jayden Lobliner attempting to get the force out of Rutter at home, which also allowed Bates to slide safely across the plate on the play.

Moments later, Moran ripped a single to center, plating Noonan and Jackson, to give the Scarlet and Black an 8-0 cushion.

USD finally broke through with a run in the third when Austin Smith singled home Rex Watson, who previously walked and advanced on a wild pitch.

The Aztecs added single markers in the fourth and eighth, respectively, on Jonathan Smith’s sacrifice fly and Daniel Arambula’s RBI single to close out their offensive spree.

The Toreros were unable to keep pace on the scoreboard, mustering two runs in the fifth when Austin Smith was hit by a pitch and raced home on a two-base error following a single by AJ Beltre, who promptly scored on Nico Libed’s double to the gap in right.

USD accounted for the final margin in the ninth when Lobliner walked and later touched the plate on a double-play grounder.

Harrison (0-1) was charged with the loss after surrendering five runs (four earned) on three hits and one walk in just 1 1/3 innings of work.

In all, the Toreros employed eight pitchers, while SDSU used five in the contest.

Beltre and Austin Smith led USD with two hits each in the loss.

San Diego State returns to the diamond this weekend when it travels to the Bay Area for a three-game series against Saint Mary’s, Feb. 28-March 2, in Moraga, California.