Aztecs Clinch Series Victory vs San Jose State with 9-3 Win on Friday

SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Diego State scored five runs in the ninth to break open a close game and defeat host San José State 9-3 in the second game of a Mountain West series Friday at Excite Ballpark.

With the decision, the Aztecs (13-26, 9-8 MW) clinch their second series victory of the season against the Spartans (20-19, 8-9 MW), who suffered their fourth consecutive defeat. In addition, SDSU climbs into a tie for third place in the Mountain West standings with New Mexico, one game behind second-place Nevada (10-7 MW).

Five players finished with two hits for the Aztecs, including Jake Jackson (2 RBI), Jonathan Smith (2 R), Zane Kelly, Daniel Arambula and Nevan Noonan.

Not to be outdone, the Scarlet and Black received a solid performance from Aidan Russell, a late addition to the starting lineup who pitched six-plus innings, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks with four strikeouts en route to his second career victory and first of the season.

The SDSU defense also contributed to the victory with three double plays, including one in the seventh inning after San José State trimmed the deficit to 3-2 on an RBI single by pinch hitter Jake McCoy. Moments later, McCoy moved up two bases on consecutive wild pitches, while Alex Fernandes drew a walk.

Peyton Rodgers relieved Chris Canavan at this juncture and induced a double play grounder by Antonio Nanez to prevent further damage.

The teams traded tallies in the eighth inning, with Smith crossing the plate for the Scarlet and Black on CJ Moran’s sacrifice fly before the Spartans countered with a run-scoring single by Zach Tallerman.

Nursing a slim 4-3 advantage, the Aztecs sent 11 men to the plate in the top of the ninth to put the game out of reach, scoring five runs on five hits, two walks and an error.

Jackson led off the frame with a double and promptly raced home when Kelly’s hot smash to first resulted in an errant throw to the pitcher covering the bag. Following Evan Sipe’s sacrifice, Evan Escobar ripped an RBI single and advanced on a wild pitch, while Finley Bates walked.

After a flyout, Noonan and Moran delivered consecutive RBI singles, while Arambula was hit by pitch. Jackson then stepped to the plate and drew a bases-loaded walk, forcing in Noonan to account for the final margin.

Xavier Cardenas III entered for the Aztecs in the bottom of the frame and issued a one-out walk before striking out Fernandes and Nanez to end the game.

Spartan starter David Thomas (1-2) was saddled with the loss after giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk in six innings, while SDSU roughed up reliever EJ McGrew (2.2 IP) with the final six runs of the contest.

For the second straight night, the Aztecs scored in the top of the first, collecting a pair of runs when Smith crossed the plate on a throwing error at second by Nanez, while Moran raced home on Jackson’s RBI single.

Previously, Smith beat out an infield hit and advanced on Noonan’s single to right before Moran reached on a fielder’s choice, as the relay throw from second on a double play attempt went awry.

The Spartans trimmed the deficit to 2-1 in the second when Rocco Caballero scored on Drew Giannini’s squeeze bunt. Earlier, Caballero was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame and moved to third on a stolen base and Tallerman’s single, respectively.

SDSU extended its lead to 3-1 in the fourth when Kelly scored after Escobar reached on a fielding error at third. Earlier, Kelly roped a one-out single to left, stole second and advanced on Sipe’s groundout.

In the bottom of the inning, the Aztecs turned in a highlight-worthy defensive play when Smith made a leaping catch at the wall in left field off the bat of Tallerman and fired to the ball to Escobar, who completed the relay throw to Noonan at first where Jeriah Lewis was doubled up after advancing too far off the bag.

UP NEXT
San Diego State looks to complete the weekend sweep against San José State on Saturday at 12:05 p.m. PT. The Aztecs-Spartans series finale will air live on the Mountain West Network.