Aztecs Fall to Saint Mary's in Game Two of Weekend Series

SAN DIEGO – San Diego State traded punches with visiting Saint Mary’s on Saturday but ultimately dropped a 12-9 decision in the second game of a weekend series at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

The Aztecs (9-6) plated five runs in a fifth-inning outburst to take a brief 7-6 lead, but the Gaels outscored the host school, 6-2, over the final four frames to hang on for the victory.

SDSU was led by Zach Justice, who went 3-for-5 and matched his career high with four RBIs set earlier in the week vs. Long Beach State.

In addition, the Aztecs received two hits from Jake Jackson and Dawson Santana, the latter of whom also drove in a pair of runs, while Anthony Marnell IV finished with two RBIs as well.

Conversely, Saint Mary’s (9-5) was paced by Jacob Johnson’s 4-for-5 effort at the plate with four RBIs and three runs scored, while Diego Castellanos knocked in two runs of his own, finishing with three hits on the night.

Leading 4-2, the Gaels increased their advantage on a pair of markers in the fifth on Castellanos’ run-scoring single and Ian Armstrong’s RBI groundout.

However, SDSU sent nine batters to the plate in the bottom of the inning, erupting for five runs on five hits and an error. The Aztecs loaded the bases on one-out singles by Jabin Trosky and Max Farrell, while Tyce Peterson drew a walk, chasing SMC starter Cam Staton.

Moments later, Justice greeted reliever Luis Martin Romero with a two-run double and promptly moved to third on a wild pitch, with Peterson crossing the plate on the errant offering. Following a strikeout, Justice raced home on a perfectly executed squeeze play by Santana, who reached safely at first and advanced to second on a wild throw to the bag. After a steal of third, Santana scored on Marnell’s single through the right side, giving the Scarlet and Black a slim 7-6 edge.

The Gaels quickly regained momentum in the top of the sixth, scoring three runs on three hits and two walks off SDSU reliever Chris Canavan (0-1), who was ultimately saddled with the loss.

With one out, Saint Mary’s loaded the bases on a Tanner Griffith single sandwiched around walks to Cody Kashimoto and Brady Petit. Johnson promptly stepped to the plate and singled down the right-field line on the first pitch from Canavan, bringing in Kashimoto and Griffiths, while Petit took third and later scored on Makoa Sniffen’s base hit up the middle.

Trailing 9-7, the Aztecs were poised for a big inning after loading the bases with one out in the seventh off Sam Kretsch, who retired the side in the previous frame. Justice and Jackson reached on consecutive singles, while Santana was hit by a pitch. However, SDSU could only muster one run on Marnell’s sacrifice fly, as Kretsch fanned Drew Rutter to avoid further damage.

The Gaels extended their lead in the eighth with two runs on three hits and capitalizing on an Aztec error. Johnson roped a one-out single down the right-field line and advanced on a wild pitch before moving to third when Sniffen reached on a fielding error at second. Shortly thereafter,  Castellanos knocked in Johnson with single to deep in the hole at shortstop, while Sniffen later scored unearned on Jared Mettam’s base hit to center.

Saint Mary’s tacked on another run in the ninth when Kashimoto raced home on Johnson’s sacrifice fly to deep left center, giving the visitors a 12-8 cushion.

Jackson’s one-out triple in the bottom of the frame afforded the Scarlet and Black a glimmer of hope, as Santana followed with an RBI single through the left side. However, Kretsch received a flyout and a groundout to end the game.

Despite giving up two runs and four hits and a walk in four innings of work, Kretsch (2-0) posted five strikeouts to help secure his second victory of season.

Staton also collected five strikeouts but was plagued by six walks in his stint of 4 1/3 innings when he yielded five runs on four hits.

Staton’s counterpart Drew Talavs pitched five innings for SDSU, giving up six runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks with four strikeouts.

The Gaels got on the board first when Johnson homered with two outs in the first before the Aztecs answered with a two-run double by Justice in the bottom of the inning.

However, Saint Mary’s regained the upper hand in the second at 4-2 on consecutive RBI singles by Kashimoto, Griffth and Petit.

Collectively, the Aztecs were out-hit 16-11 and stranded nine runners, while the Gaels left 10 men on base for the evening.

San Diego State and Saint Mary’s will square off in the rubber game of their weekend series on Sunday, March 8, starting at 1 p.m. PT. The Aztecs-Gaels clash will air live on the Mountain West Network.