Kelly Homers Twice as Aztecs Complete Series Sweep at Fresno State with 6-2 Win

FRESNO, Calif. – San Diego State’s Zane Kelly blasted two home runs on Sunday, helping the Aztecs complete a weekend sweep of Fresno State with a 6-2 victory in the finale of a three-game series on Pete Beiden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium.

In addition, SDSU (26-18, 10-5 MW) extended its winning streak to seven straight games, matching the team’s longest victory stretch since April 22-May 4, 2018. The Aztecs also climbed into third place in the Mountain West, one-half game behind co-leaders Nevada (23-17, 12-6 MW) and Air Force (21-20, 12-6 MW).

Not to be outdone, San Diego State recorded its first three-game sweep of the Bulldogs in Fresno in program history.

The Aztecs utilized three pitchers on the day, as the trio of Alec Belardes, Jake Frohn and Carson Johnson, who tossed three innings apiece and combined for eight strikeouts.

Frohn (1-3) was credited with his first collegiate victory despite allowing one run on one hit and two walks during the middle three frames.

The Bulldogs scored first on Sky Collins’ RBI single in the bottom of the second, which brought home Marcus Nolen, who previously roped a one-out double.

As typical of the whole series, SDSU struck with one swing of the bat, as Kelly went yard in the top of the third to give the visitors a 2-1 advantage. The Aztec junior fought off three foul balls on a 3-2 count against starter Erik Rico before launching a two-run shot to right, which plated Adam Magpoc, who, just moments earlier, led off with a single.

Fresno State tied the contest in the sixth when Cam Schneider smacked a leadoff double and later crossed the plate on Brady Hewitt’s sacrifice fly.

The deadlock was short-lived, however, as the Scarlet and Black responded with two runs on three hits in the top of the seventh to vault in front for good, 4-2.

Jabin Trosky and Magpoc reached on singles, sandwiched around a flyout, while Kelly drew a walk to load the bases. Shortly thereafter, Trosky raced home on a sacrifice fly by Anthony Marnell IV, while Magpoc scored on Tyce Peterson’s clutch single through the right side.

The Aztecs gave themselves some insurance in the eighth when Jake Jackson led off with a single to shallow center and advanced on a groundout before circling the bases on Max Farrell’s RBI single up the middle.

Kelly then led off the ninth with his second home run of the game and eighth of the season after crushing a 3-1 delivery off reliever Wyatt Thornbury to close out the scoring.

In the interim, Carson Johnson, SDSU’s third pitcher of the day, kept the Bulldogs off the scoreboard the rest of the way, scattering three hits, including singles by Hewitt and Nolen to start the ninth. However, the Aztec reliever struck out Collins before receiving a tailor-made 4-6-3 double play from Mikey Pickett to end the game.

Rico (1-3) was saddled with the loss for Fresno State after giving up four runs on five hits and zero walks with a trio of strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings, while Nolen and Schneider collected two hits apiece in the defeat.

Conversely, Belardes struck out five batters in his three-inning appearance, allowing one run on four hits and three walks.

Along with Kelly, Trosky and Magpoc finished with two hits each, as seven of the Aztecs’ position players tallied at least one hit.

San Diego State will play seven of its next eight games at home, starting Tuesday, April 28, when it plays host to Cal State Fullerton in a midweek clash at Tony Gwynn Stadium. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. PT.