Aztecs Roll Past Spartans in Seven Innings to Clinch MW Tourney Berth

SAN DIEGO – San Diego State secured a spot in the 2026 Mountain West Championship tournament with an 11-1 run-rule victory in seven innings over San José State on Friday in the opener of a weekend series at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

With the win, SDSU (31-19, 13-5 MW) maintains a one-and-a-half game lead over Washington State (26-23, 14-8 MW) and Air Force (23-23, 14-8 MW) in the race for the league’s regular-season title after the Cougars posted an 11-2 triumph over the Falcons at the Academy.

Back on The Mesa, Jabin Trosky led all players with three RBIs, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored, while Jake Jackson collected game highs of three hits and three runs scored, helping the Scarlet and Black extend its home winning streak to 13 straight games and raise its record to 20-5 this season at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

Not to be outdone, the Aztecs received another superb outing from starter Rohan Lettow, who improved to 5-1 on the season after allowing just one run on three hits and a walk with seven strikeouts in six innings, while Connor Abadie retired the side in the seventh to end the game.

SDSU used the big inning to make quick work of the Spartans (20-26, 7-12 MW), including a four-run outburst in the first that set the tone for the remainder of the contest.

The Aztecs quickly loaded the bases off SJSU starter David Thomas (4-5) in their first at-bat after Dawson Santana and Zach Justice drew walks, sandwiched around Jackson’s double to right center. Moments later, Trosky ripped a single through the left side, plating Santana and Jackson, while Max Farrell followed with another walk to keep the bases juiced.

Shortly thereafter, Justice crossed the plate on Adam Magpoc’s fielder’s choice to shortstop, while Trosky raced home on Tyce Peterson’s RBI groundout.

The Spartans broke their scoring drought in the top of the third on consecutive doubles by Alex Fernandes and Peyton Rowles, trimming the margin to 4-1.

However, SDSU put the game essentially out of reach after erupting for five runs on five hits in the fourth, highlighted by Anthony Marnell IV’s two-run homer.

After Peterson singled up the middle to lead off the inning, Marnell launched a towering shot over the right-field fence on the first pitch from Thomas for his third round-tripper of the year, extending the Aztec advantage to 6-1. Following a strikeout, Santana singled through the left side and ultimately scored on consecutive hits by Jackson and Justice, spelling the end of Thomas’ stint.

Trosky then reached on an infield single and took second when reliever Luca Staiano threw wildly past catcher Matteo Mendoza trying to nail Jackson at the plate, who slid in safely at home, while Justice motored around to third. Moments later, Justice scored on Farrell’s sacrifice fly, giving the Scarlet and Black a commanding 9-1 lead.

SDSU soon closed out the scoring in the sixth when Jackson led off with a single and later scored on a wild pitch, while Trosky reached on a fielder’s choice and ultimately sprinted home on Magpoc’s sacrifice fly.

In the interim, Lettow retired seven straight batters before Fernandes led off the sixth with a single. However, the Aztec right-hander prevented trouble after striking out Rowles and Brent Cota, sandwiched around a flyout by Jake McCoy.

With a 10-run cushion secured, Abadie took the mound to start the seventh and induced another flyout by JC Osorio-Agard before fanning Rohne Klein and Neil Jansen to put the finishing touches on the run-rule victory, much to the delight of the SDSU faithful.

San Diego State continues its series against San José State on Saturday, May 10, starting at 5 p.m. PT. The Aztecs are projected to start right-hander Drew Talavs (3-3), while the Spartans are expected to counter with lefty Jesse Gutierrez (0-4).