SAN DIEGO – As it accomplished the previous night, San Diego State used the same formula for success in a spirited 5-2 triumph over UNLV on Saturday in the second game of a Mountain West series at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
The Aztecs (18-21, 12-6 MW) overcame another early deficit thanks to some clutch hitting and a solid defense while receiving another strong performance from the bullpen to capture their fifth series victory against six conference opponents so far this season.
In addition, SDSU took over sole possession of first place in the Mountain West after San José State (20-19, 13-8 MW) dropped a 12-3 decision at third-place Air Force (20-24, 13-10 MW) earlier in the day.
Aztec starter Chris Canada (3-4) surrendered back-to-back home runs to Rylan Charles and Jacob Sharp with one out in the first but gave up just two additional hits and a pair of walks for the remainder of his six-inning stint. The SDSU sophomore finished with eight strikeouts to help secure his second straight win.
Despite the Rebels' (16-25, 7-13 MW) early momentum, the Scarlet and Black quickly responded with a run in its half of the first when Cole Carrigg drew a one-out walk before circling the bases on Poncho Ruiz's double down the left-field line.
Trailing 2-1, San Diego State wasted no time in seizing control thanks to a pair of RBI singles in the second by Irvin Weems and Cade Martinez. Xavier Gonzalez led off the inning with a double to left-center field, advancing on a failed pickoff attempt before racing home on Weems' base hit up the middle.
Moments later, Weems stole second and moved over to third on Trevor Fox's groundout to first before Martinez stepped up to the plate and roped another single up the middle to put the Aztecs in front for good, 3-2.
UNLV starter Noah Beal struck out the first two hitters in the third, but Caden Miller smashed a 1-1 offering over the fence in right-center for his third homer of the season, extending SDSU's lead to 4-2.
The Aztecs closed out the scoring in the sixth when Miller scored on a throwing error by Rebel shortstop Paul Myro at first base. Previously, Miller drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch following Gonzalez's flyout to left. After Weems struck out, Fox beat out an infield hit; however, Myro's throw to first went awry, allowing Miller to race home from second.
In the interim, Canada settled in and grew stronger as the game progressed, recording all eight of his strikeouts after the first frame, including three in the second when he gave up a measly infield single to Noah Rodriguez. The SDSU left-hander also retired the side in order in the third and fourth, highlighted by two swinging strikeouts to end the latter inning.
Canada also induced a pair of fielder's choice grounders in the fifth while freezing Pimentel on a 3-2 pitch in between. Later in the sixth, he issued a two-out walk to Austin Kryszczuk, who moved up on two wild pitches, but fanned Braden Murphy on a 2-2 delivery to end the threat.
SDSU subsequently utilized the same relievers who preserved Friday night's win, as Ricky Tibbett, Eldridge Armstrong III and Kelena Sauer each tossed one scoreless inning.
In the seventh, Tibbett allowed a leadoff single to Myro, who was later forced out at second after Miller made a heroic flip with the ball in his glove to Gonzalez on Rodriguez's grounder to the right side. Rodriguez promptly moved into scoring position on a failed pickoff attempt; however, Tibbett induced a popout to Pimentel to escape trouble.
Armstrong needed just eight pitches to retire the Rebels in the eighth, striking out Charles and Sharp before getting Higgins to fly out to left.
Sauer then worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 10th save of the year, giving him 16 for his career. Sauer's 10 saves are the most by an SDSU pitcher in a single season since CJ Saylor recorded 13 during the 2017 campaign.
Seven different Aztecs recorded at least one hit, including Miller, who went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead all players.
Beal (1-4) absorbed the loss for UNLV after allowing all five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks to go with six strikeouts in six innings of work, while Josh Sharman (1 H, 2 SO) pitched the final two innings in the defeat.
San Diego State looks to complete the sweep on Sunday when the teams square off in the series finale at 1 p.m. PT. The first 250 fans in attendance will receive a free SDSU roller banner.
Aztecs Down UNLV; Take Over First Place in MW
