SAN DIEGO – San Diego State fell victim to a hot-hitting Oregon State team on Thursday, falling 13-1 in the first game of a weekend series at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
The Aztecs were out-hit 17-4, as the Beavers combined for eight runs in the seventh and eighth innings to turn the contest into a runaway.
With the loss, SDSU slips to 6-3 overall, while OSU evens its record at 4-4.
The Aztecs tallied their lone marker in the first when Matt Rudick tripled to the corner in right field and promptly raced home on Casey Schmitt's RBI single. Schmitt wound up on second thanks to a fielding error on the play; however, the Aztecs were unable capitalize after Beaver starter Jake Pfennigs got a strikeout and a flyout to prevent further damage.
Moments later, Oregon State responded in the top of the second when Jake Dukart drew a leadoff walk and eventually scored on Andy Armstrong's sacrifice fly to tie the game at 1-1.
The Beavers vaulted in front for good with four runs in the fourth, aided in part by an SDSU fielding error, while Armstrong and Micah McDowell delivered RBI singles.
The Aztecs had a chance to cut the margin in the fifth with runners at first and second and only one out. However, Jaden Fein was thrown out at home after tagging up on Rudick's flyball to shallow left, and the Scarlet and Black never threatened again.
Oregon State sent 10 men to the plate in the seventh, scoring five runs on five hits and two walks. Troy Claunch led off the frame with a solo homer to left center, while Armstrong added a three-run blast shortly thereafter to give the visitors a 10-1 cushion.
The Beavers tacked on three more tallies in the eighth, as Armstrong touched home on pinch-hitter Zach Zalesky's single up the middle to complete the scoring.
Kyler McMahan led all players with a 4-for-4 effort on the night, while McDowell went 3-for-5 at the plate. In addition, Armstrong finished with a game-high five RBIs and scored three runs, along with Jake Dukart, who drew three walks.
Despite four walks, Pfennigs (2-1) picked up the victory after allowing one run on three hits to go with a trio of strikeouts in five innings. Three relievers combined to keep the Aztecs at bay over the remaining four frames.
Conversely, reliever Casey O'Sullivan (0-1) took the loss after giving up three runs on two hits, one walk and a pair of wild pitches in the fateful fourth after entering for starter Brian Leonhardt with two outs in the third. Leonhardt yielded one run on two hits and three walks in 2 2/3 innings while posting three strikeouts.
San Diego State resumes its series with Oregon State on Friday, starting at 6 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast live on XTRA Sports 1360 AM.