Aztecs Fall in Series Finale vs. San Jose State

SAN DIEGO – San Diego State fell victim to a late surge in its Mountain West series finale against San Jose State, dropping a 10-2 decision Sunday at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

The Spartans (11-8, 1-2 MW) broke open a tight 2-0 ballgame with an 8-2 surge over the final four innings to pull away for the win.

Despite the loss, the Aztecs (6-14, 2-1) have still emerged triumphant in 13 of their last 17 series against SJSU since 2014 after sweeping a doubleheader on Saturday.

Nevan Noonan and CJ Moran led the Scarlet and Black with two hits each on Sunday, while Jake Jackson and Daniel Arambula drove in the team’s two runs.

Conversely, five Spartans totaled two hits apiece, including Alex Fernandes, Antonio Nanez, Zach Chamizo, Jeriah Lewis and Jake McCoy, the latter of whom legged out two triples.

SJSU starter Win Scott (2-1) picked up his second straight victory after allowing two runs on five hits and three walks with eight strikeouts in six-plus innings, while Tyler Albanese fanned six batters of his own over three scoreless frames, yielding just two hits and one walk for his second save of the year.

On the flip side, Aztec starter Garvey Rumary (0-3) posted a career-high seven strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings but absorbed another tough loss after ceding three runs (two earned) on just two hits and a pair of walks.

San José State never trailed in the contest after scoring two runs in the second inning, aided by an SDSU throwing error. Following a leadoff triple, McCoy galloped home after Rocco Caballero was a hit by a pitch and advanced two bases on an errant pickoff attempt at first. Shortly thereafter, Caballero crossed the plate on Lewis’ sacrifice fly.

The Spartans tacked on a run in the sixth when McCoy greeted new SDSU reliever Peyton Rodgers with a triple to the gap in left center, plating Fernandes, who was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning before advancing on a sacrifice.

Leading 3-0, SJSU gave itself some additional breathing room in the seventh, scoring four runs on five hits and one walk. Fernandes supplied the key hit with a two-run triple near the left-field line that deflected off the glove of a diving Jonathan Smith, who just missed making a heroic catch, as Neil Jansen and Drew Giannini raced home.

Previously, Giannini doubled in Lewis, who led off with a single to right, while Jansen followed with a walk. Later in the inning, Fernandes crossed the plate on Nanez’s single to right.

The Aztecs broke their scoring drought in the bottom of the frame when Jackson knocked in Noonan with an RBI double to right before Moran raced home on Arambula’s groundout to short.

Earlier, Noonan led off with a base hit to center and advanced on a passed ball, while Moran followed with a single to right.

Albanese replaced Scott on the mound and quickly recorded a strikeout before inducing Arambula’s grounder. SDSU loaded the bases moments later when Evan Sipe drew a walk, while Josh Quezada was hit by a pitch.  However, the Aztecs were unable to narrow the gap after Albanese collected another strikeout to end the threat.

SJSU added another run on a double steal in the eighth before closing out the scoring in the ninth on Nanez’ RBI single and Jansen’s bases-loaded walk.

UP NEXT
San Diego State returns to the diamond on Tuesday, March 18, when it travels up the freeway for a midweek clash against California Baptist in Riverside, California. Game time is set for 6 p.m. PT, and the Aztecs-Lancers showdown will air live via subscription basis on ESPN+.