Kelly's Big Night Propels Aztecs Past UC Irvine, 8-4

SAN DIEGO – Playing at home for a single night in a nine-game stretch, San Diego State picked up a much-needed victory on Tuesday with an 8-4 triumph over UC Irvine at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

With the decision, the Aztecs snap a seven-game slide against the Anteaters and even their record at 13-13 overall. Conversely, UCI drops its ninth straight, falling to 9-15 on the year.

Zane Kelly was the hitting star for SDSU, tying his career-high with four RBIs. The junior right fielder belted a two-run homer in the second inning to put the Aztecs in front for good at 4-2 before ripping a key two-run double in the sixth that extended the Scarlet and Black’s lead to 7-2.

Not to be outdone, Zach Justice also went deep with a two-run blast in the first to counter the Anteaters’ solo shot by Tommy Farmer IV and Zach Fjelstad’s RBI single in the top of the frame.

The score remained unchanged until the sixth when the Aztecs plated four runs on three hits and one error. Max Farrell roped a one-out single and took second on a wild pitch before advancing to third on a base hit through the left side by Anthony Marnell IV.  Moments later, Dawson Santana reached on a throwing error during a squeeze bunt attempt, as Farrell darted home.

UCI’s second reliever of the night, Ryder Brooks, took the mound at this juncture and promptly bounced a pitch in front of the plate, allowing Santana to move into scoring position. Shortly thereafter, Kelly smacked a 2-0 offering from Brooks down the right-field line, knocking in Marnell and Santana.

Ultimately, Kelly crossed the plate himself after a steal of third and a passed ball, giving the Scarlet and Black an insurmountable 8-2 advantage.

The Anteaters closed out the scoring on Fjelstad’s solo homer in the seventh and Kai Smith’s RBI double in the ninth.

SDSU employed three pitchers for the game, with each tossing three innings.

Bryce McKnight (2-0) picked up his second victory of the season after a scoreless stint of middle relief when he scattered three hits and one walk with one strikeout, while Connor Abadie earned the save despite allowing two late runs.

After surrendering Smith’s double, Abadie issued a two-out walk to Zach Crandall but prevented further damage by striking out Farmer to end the contest, initiating the Aztecs’ festive postgame light show.

Jake Frohn made his first career start for SDSU, withstanding a shaky first inning to keep the Anteaters off the scoreboard for the ensuing two frames, eventually finishing with four strikeouts to match his season high.

On the flip side, UCI utilized five pitchers, including starter Tyler Foster (0-1), who absorbed the loss after yielding four runs on four hits in two innings of work.

The Anteaters outhit the Aztecs 12-9 but stranded 15 runners for the game. UCI left the bases loaded in the sixth, as McKnight induced a tapper back to the mound by Auggie Gutierrez to get out of a jam.

UP NEXT
San Diego State returns to the road for a three-game Mountain West series at Grand Canyon, March 27-29, before tackling Arizona State in a non-conference clash on Monday, March 30, at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.