SAN DIEGO – San Diego State fell behind early in its crosstown battle against the University of San Diego on Tuesday, dropping an 11-2 decision in a non-conference game at Fowler Park.
The Toreros plated five runs in the first inning with two outs and did not look back, sweeping the season series to raise their record to 27-12 overall.
Meanwhile, the Aztecs were limited to five hits en route to their sixth straight defeat, falling to 11-29 on the year.
Following two quick groundouts, USD drew first blood when Jakob Christian homered to right field, while Austin Smtih followed with a two-run double, scoring Jack Gurevitch and Jack Costello, who previously walked and singled, respectively.
Moments later, Justin DeCriscio stepped to the plate and belted a two-run homer to left, giving the host school a 5-0 advantage.
The Toreros padded their lead with three additional markers in the third off reliever Michael Caruso, who issued three consecutive walks to Gurevitch, Costello and Smith before DeCriscio was hit by a pitch. Ariel Armas soon followed with a two-run single through the left side, extending the host school's lead to 8-0.
SDSU broke its scoring drought in the top of the fourth when Jacob McCombs crossed the plate on Irvin Weems' sacrifice fly. Earlier McCombs and Jake Jackson drew walks, while Josh Quezada followed with a single through the left side.
However, the Aztecs were unable to add to their total after Jackson was erased at third on a fielder's choice, while Brady Lavoie struck out.
USD tallied two more runs in the bottom of the inning on RBI singles by Costello and DeCriscio.
The teams then traded homers in the eighth to close out the scoring. Tino Bethancourt smashed a towering shot down the left-field line just inside of the foul pole on a 1-1 offering from JD Goodcase for his fourth round-tripper of the season.
Meanwhile, Christian circled the bases for an inside-the-park home run in the bottom of the frame, as Weems was unable to put the squeeze on a deep fly ball to center field before crashing into the wall with his back to home plate.
The Toreros' third pitcher of the night Alex Schrier (3-2) was credited with the victory after tossing two scoreless innings in the sixth and seventh with a pair of strikeouts.
USD's starter Ryan Kysar allowed one run on three hits and three walks in four innings, finishing with four strikeouts before Connor Thurman pitched a scoreless fifth.
Conversely, Garvey Rumary (1-2) was saddled with the loss, pitching the first two frames before giving way to Caruso to start the third. Both freshman hurlers yielded five runs apiece in their respective stints.
Chris Canada took the mound with two outs in the fourth and held the Toreros hitless over the next 3 1/3 innings, offsetting one walk with a strikeout.
Bethancourt finished with two hits for the Scarlet and Black, tying for game-high honors with Christian (3 runs), Costello (3 runs) and DeCriscio, who led all players with four RBIs.
UP NEXT
San Diego State jumps back into Mountain West play this weekend when it travels to the Land of Enchantment for a three-game series against New Mexico, April 26-28, at Santa Ana Star Field in Albuquerque, N.M.
Aztecs Stumble at USD on Tuesday
