Sipila's Gem Keys Aztecs' 3-2 Victory over UNLV

SAN DIEGO – Behind solid pitching and clutch hitting, the San Diego State baseball team defeated UNLV, 3-2, in the opener of a Mountain West series Friday at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

Making his first Friday start in a Scarlet and Black uniform, right-hander Marko Sipila tied his career high with nine strikeouts, while Daniel Arambula and Nevan Noonan delivered consecutive RBI singles in a seventh-inning rally, helping the Aztecs (7-19, 3-4 MW) overcome a 2-1 deficit and snap a six-game losing streak.

Sipila equaled his season long with eight innings pitched, allowing two runs on five hits and just one walk to even his record at 2-2 on the year. The SDSU junior retired the final 10 batters he faces, posting six of his strikeouts in that span, while Xavier Cardenas III threw just six pitches after entering in the ninth, setting down the Rebels (14-11, 2-5 MW) in order to earn his second save of the season.

Trailing 2-1, the Aztecs scored two runs with two outs in the seventh to complete the comeback victory. Evan Sipe drew a leadoff walk and Finley Bates was hit by a pitch, sandwiched around a pair of strikeouts by UNLV reliever Will Marquart.

Moments later, Arambula roped a single up the middle on a 3-2 count, plating Sipe, while Noonan quickly followed with another base hit on an 0-2 offering to the left of the bag at second, which brought home Bates with the go-ahead tally.

Marquart (3-1) was charged with the loss after pitching 1 2/3 innings in relief of starter Carson Lane, who exited with one out in the fifth. Fresh off his combined no-hitter on March 28, Lane gave up one run on three hits and three walks to go with seven strikeouts.

SDSU grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first after loading the bases with two outs on consecutive singles by Arambula and Noonan, while Zane Kelly reached on an infield hit. Shortly thereafter, Jake Jackson drew a walk to force in Arambula.  However, Lane prevented further damage by inducing a pop fly to end the inning.

The Rebels scored their lone runs of the game on sacrifice flies by Gunnar Myro and Brendan O’Sullivan in the second and fourth, respectively.

UNLV also threatened in the sixth after Chase Gallegos was issued a leadoff walk, while JP Hefft reached on an infield single following a sacrifice bunt by Paul Myro IV. However, Sipila fought himself off the proverbial ropes by inducing an impressive 3-6-1 double play.

The two hits by Arambula and Noonan paced the Aztecs, while Cole Koniarsky finished with two hits for the visitors in the loss.

UP NEXT
San Diego State continues its weekend series with UNLV on Saturday, starting at 4 p.m. PT. The Aztecs-Rebels clash will air live on the Mountain West Network, and the first 250 fans in attendance will receive a free SDSU beach towel.