Aztecs Upended by Huskies in Series Finale, 4-1
San Diego State dropped its second straight decision on Monday after falling to Washington by a 4-1 count in the finale of a four-game series at Husky Ballpark in Seattle.
SEATTLE – San Diego State dropped its second straight decision on Monday after falling to Washington by a 4-1 count in the finale of a four-game series at Husky Ballpark.
Despite a career-high nine strikeouts from starting pitcher Alec Belardes, the Aztecs (7-5) settled for a split against the Huskies after scoring just one run on five hits against the combo of Hayden Lewis and Bryce Johnson.
Belardes (1-2) absorbed another tough loss for the Scarlet and Black after surrendering three runs on six hits and two walks in six innings before giving way to Aidan Russell, who tossed the final two frames, surrendering an unearned run in the eighth.
Conversely, Lewis (1-2) posted nine strikeouts of his own, yielding one run on three hits and a walk in seven innings to collect the victory, while Johnson pitched two scoreless innings to record the save.
UW (3-9) grabbed a 1-0 lead it would not relinquish on Aidan Dougherty’s first-inning sacrifice fly that plated Braeden Terry, who smacked a one-out double down the left-field line before stealing third base.
Later in the third, the Huskies upped their advantage on Sam DeCarlo’s two-run homer with two outs, knocking in Colton Bower, who previously doubled.
The Aztecs were unable to capitalize on their limited opportunities, putting just three runners aboard through the first six innings. Adam Magpoc was left stranded after hitting a pair of singles in the first and fourth, while Dawson Santana experienced the same fate after getting struck by a pitch in the second.
SDSU finally broke its scoring drought in the seventh when Santana walked and circled the bases on Zach Justice’s two-out double down the left-field line on a 1-1 offering from Lewis.
However, the Huskies got the run back in the bottom of the frame when DeCarlo raced home from second on Mic Paul’s two-out chopper to the right side. Paul was safe on a close play at first, as DeCarlo sped around third, sliding across the plate when the throw home went awry. Earlier, DeCarlo led off with a single to right and subsequently stole second following a strikeout of Ty Cowan.
Trailing 4-1, the Aztecs sought a two-out rally in the eighth, but Jabin Trosky was left stranded after doubling down the right-field line.
SDSU also threatened in the ninth when Tyce Peterson led off with a double to the corner in left field before advancing on a ground out. Moments later, Jake Jackson reached on a fielding error at third, but Johnson escaped catastrophe by inducing a game-ending double play.
San Diego State will play seven of its next eight games at home, starting Wednesday, March 4, when it plays host to Long Beach State at Tony Gwynn Stadium. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. PT. The Aztecs will then battle Saint Mary’s in a three-game series, March 6-8.