Aztecs Toppled by Northeastern in Series Finale

SAN DIEGO – San Diego State was unable to maintain an early advantage Sunday as visiting Northwestern rallied to claim an 8-5 decision in the finale of a weekend series at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

The Aztecs (4-13) took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third but were outscored 7-2 over the final six innings, as the Huskies capitalized on a pair of errors in the top of the fourth to spark their comeback.

Northeastern (8-5) drew first blood in its initial trip to the plate when Carmelo Musacchia doubled and ultimately crossed the plate on Jack Goodman’s sacrifice fly.

In the interim, Ryan Gerety bunted for a base hit and quickly stole second but was thrown out trying to score on Harrison Feinberg’s single to the deep hole at shortstop, as CJ Moran alertly threw home to Evan Sipe, who supplied the tag.

The SDSU offense came to life in the third, scoring three runs on four hits, including Jonathan Smith’s RBI double, which plated Daniel Arambula. Previously, Arambula drew a leadoff walk and motored around to third on Sipe’s single down the line in right field. Moments later, Sipe darted home on Finley Bates’ groundout, while Drew Rutter knocked in Smith with a sharp single to center.

However, the Huskies answered with a three-spot in the fourth to reclaim a lead they would not relinquish. The inning started ominously for the Aztecs after Cam Maldonado’s fly ball was dropped in right field, while Goodman followed with a single to left and stole second.

After Feinberg walked, Alex Lane reached on a fielding error to bring in Maldonado, which prompted a call to the bullpen, as Luka Pintar replaced starter Garvey Rumary. Following the change, Goodman touched home when Carter Bentley drew another walk with the bases loaded, while Chris Walsh was hit by a pitch to force in Feinberg.

Pintar prevented further damage with a strikeout of Will Fosberg, while Smith atoned for his earlier miscue after corralling Musacchia’s fly ball in right and firing home to nail Lane at the plate.

Leading 4-3, Northeastern extended its advantage in the seventh on a pair of runs with two outs. Gerety singled and stole second, while Goodman and Feinberg both walked to load the bases sandwiched around a strikeout. Gerety scored moments later when Lane was issued another walk, while Bentley was struck by a pitch to bring in Maldonado.

The Aztecs responded with a pair of markers in their half of the frame when Zane Kelly raced home on Sipe’s single through the left side, while Arambula scored on Bates’ squeeze bunt.

Previously, Kelly led off with a bunt single and quickly advanced to third on Arambula’s clutch single through the right side on a 3-2 pitch.

The Scarlet and Black was unable to seize the upper hand, however, as Maldonado gave the visitors some separation with a two-run homer in the eighth. The Aztecs were poised to get through the inning unscathed after Musacchia struck out and Will Fosberg was caught stealing at second to bookend a double play.

Unfortunately for SDSU, Gerety singled through the right side before Maldonado’s blast over the fence in right on a 3-2 offering.

Charlie Walker, who earlier entered in the seventh, struck out two batters in the ninth to notch his first save of the season.  

Starter Jack Bowery (1-0) earned the victory despite giving up three runs on four hits and two walks in five innings, while Rumary (0-2) was saddled with the tough-luck loss. The Aztec starter allowed four runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk in his three-plus innings of work.

Along with Maldonado, Lane and Bentley posted two RBIs each, while Gerety led all players with three hits.

Eight different Aztec players registered a hit, including two by Sipe.

UP NEXT
San Diego State opens its 2025 Mountain West schedule next weekend when it plays host to San José State in a three-game series, March 14-16, at Tony Gwynn Stadium. All three contests will air live on the Mountain West Network.