SAN DIEGO – Control issues surfaced once again for San Diego State in a 6-3 loss to Long Beach State in a non-conference clash Tuesday night at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
Despite posting 10 strikeouts, their highest total in 12 games, the Aztecs (9-22) were beset by 10 walks, including four in the fifth inning when the Dirtbags (17-12-1) plated two runs without a hit to build a commanding 4-0 advantage.
LBSU starter Van Larson (1-0) earned the victory after scattering three hits and one walk in five scoreless innings, while three relievers held the Scarlet and Black without a hit over the final 3 1/3 innings, including Mike Villani, who retired the side in the ninth to collect his seventh save of the year.
On the flip side, Chris Canavan (0-2) was saddled with the loss after giving up those four runs on two hits and four walks in just over an inning after taking over for Jadon Bercovich to start the fourth.
Despite issuing two walks to Kyle Ashworth and Adrian Lopez with one out in the top of the first, Bercovich (3.0 IP, 0 H, 3 BB) prevented damage by receiving a groundout from Jack Hammond and a strikeout by John Newman, Jr.
The game remained scoreless until the fateful fourth when Nick Marinconz doubled home Jack Collins, who previously walked, while Armando Briseno singled and later scored on Alex Champagne's groundout to second.
LBSU loaded the bases off Canavan to start the fifth when Ashworth and Lopez walked, while Hammond reached on a fielding error during a bunt attempt. Aidan Russell was summoned from the bullpen but promptly issued consecutive walks of his own to Newman and Collins, which plated Ashworth and Lopez, respectively.
With the bases still juiced, Russell fought himself off the proverbial ropes by inducing a flyout to Briseno and a pop-up to Marinconz before fanning Champagne on a 3-2 count. The SDSU sophomore then pitched the next two innings, logging three strikeouts against one walk without a hit.
Trailing 4-0, the Aztecs tallied three runs in the sixth off Dirtbag reliever Collin Miskelly, sparked by Colby Turner's sharp single through the left side, which plated Shaun Montoya, while Irvin Weems scored on a double-play grounder to second. Moments later, Turner raced home on a wild pitch. Earlier, Montoya singled up the middle, while Weems drew a walk.
SDSU put two additional runners aboard in the frame after Jake Jackson walked and Jacob McCombs was struck by a pitch. However, Owen Geiss took the mound and recorded a strikeout, and the Aztecs never threatened again.
LBSU tallied two insurance runs in the ninth when Newman led off with a double and quickly crossed the plate on a triple to the right corner by Collins, who subsequently scored on Marinconz's single through the middle of a drawn-in SDSU infield.
The Dirtbags notched four of their seven hits in the ninth, while the Aztecs recorded five hits for the game, including two by Montoya.
Individually, Marinconz led all players with three hits and tied Collins for game-high honors with two RBIs.
UP NEXT
San Diego State will make the short drive over to La Jolla on Wednesday, April 10, when it battles UC San Diego at Triton Ballpark. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. PT, and the contest will air live via subscription basis on ESPN+.
Aztecs Upended by Long Beach State, 6-3
