Aztecs Toppled at Saint Mary's, 5-2

MORAGA, Calif. – San Diego State dropped its second straight game in a weekend series against Saint Mary’s after falling by a 5-2 score Saturday at Louis Guisto Field at Brother Ronald Gallagher Stadium.

The Gaels combined for all five runs in the fifth and sixth innings to raise their record to 7-4 overall, while the Aztecs slip to 4-7 on the year.

SDSU drew first blood in the top of the fourth when Jake Jackson laced a two-out single and circled the bases on CJ Moran’s double that split the gap in right center.

However, Saint Mary’s countered with two markers in the bottom of the fifth to inch in front for good. With one out, Tanner Griffith was hit by a pitch and promptly moved to second on Ryan Pierce’s grounder to first before racing home on Eddie Madrigal’s single.

Madrigal, who took second on the previous throw, ultimately crossed the plate on Jared Mettam’s RBI single following a walk to Aiden Taurek.

The Gaels extended their lead in the sixth with three unearned runs after capitalizing on an error with two outs.

Despite allowing a bunt single to Cody Koshimoto and a walk to Griffith, the Aztecs were in prime position to get out the jam after Pierce tapped a grounder to short.  However, the untimely error enabled Pierce to reach and advance to second, while Koshimoto sped home.

Moments later, SDSU was called for catcher’s interference, with Madrigal placed at first, while Pierce took third and Griffith was awarded home plate.  Shortly thereafter, Pierce slid home on a wild pitch to give the host school a 5-1 advantage.

The score remained unchanged until the ninth when Moran roped a two-out double to left and scored on Zane Kelly’s RBI single. However, Gael reliever John Damozonio induced a ground ball to end the game.

Saint Mary’s starter Donovan Chriss (2-0) gave up just one run on three hits without a walk, adding six strikeouts in seven innings to earn the victory, while Aztec counterpart Xavier Cardenas III (0-2) was tagged with the loss. The SDSU junior yielded both Gael runs in the fifth, allowing four hits and six walks in his appearance to go with a trio of strikeouts.

Cardenas walked the bases loaded in the first but avoided disaster with a strike out of Mettam to end the threat.

Meanwhile, relievers Evan Miranda (0.2 IP), Luka Pintar (1 batter faced) and Peyton Rodgers (2.1 IP) were each charged with one unearned run in the fateful sixth.

Moran led the Aztecs with three of the team’s five hits, which marked a season high. The SDSU freshman also made his first collegiate start at first base.

UP NEXT
San Diego State concludes its weekend series at Saint Mary’s on Sunday, March 2, beginning at 1 p.m. PT. The Aztecs-Gaels showdown will be broadcast live via subscription basis on ESPN+.