Aztecs Topple GCU, 7-2, to Claim Series Victory

PHOENIX – San Diego State secured its second straight Mountain West series victory with a 7-2 triumph over Grand Canyon on Sunday in the rubber game of a weekend set at Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark.

With the decision, the Aztecs raise their record to 15-14 on the season and 4-2 in conference play, while the Lopes tumble to 9-20 overall and 1-5 in MW action.

Six different players recorded an RBI for SDSU, including Jake Jackson, who belted a two-run homer in the first, tying Jabin Trosky for game-high honors with three hits, while pitchers Alec Belardes and Connor Abadie combined on a five-hitter to keep GCU in check.

Belardes (2-3) allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings to earn his second victory of the season, scattering four hits and four walks to go with four strikeouts, while Abadie pitched the rest of the way, giving up just one hit without a walk during his appearance.

Jackson’s blast, measured at 386 feet, put SDSU in front for good, after Tyce Peterson kept the inning alive with a two-out double on a 3-2 pitch from Lopes starter Chase Frey.

Leading 2-0, the Aztecs put up four runs on four hits in the fourth to extend their advantage. Jackson led off the frame with a double to deep center field before racing home on Adam Magpoc’s single to right center.

Magpoc stole second and Max Farrell drew a walk, with both runners advancing on a sacrifice by Anthony Marnell IV. SDSU continued its small ball tactics for the next two batters, as Magpoc and Farrell crossed the plate on consecutive squeeze bunts by Dawson Santana and Zane Kelly.

Santana, who reached safely on his bunt when no fielder covered the bag at first, ultimately scored from second on Trosky’s two-out single to center, giving the Scarlet and Black a 6-0 cushion.

The Lopes finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth on Billy Scaldeferri’s two-run single, which plated Gunnar Penzkover and Camden Bates, who previously walked and advanced on Griffin Cameron’s sacrifice. However, Belardes escaped further trouble when Mito Perez grounded into a double play moments later.

The Aztecs closed out the scoring the seventh when Jackson reached on an infield single to lead off the frame and moved to second on Magpoc’s groundout before darting home on Farrell’s single to shallow center.

GCU threatened in the bottom of the inning when Bates drew a two-out walk, while Cameron followed with a double to right field. Shortly thereafter, Abadie was summoned from the bullpen and quickly induced a flyout by Scaldeferri to prevent any damage.

The Lopes also put two runners aboard in the ninth on Jose Lopez’s one-out single, while Bates was hit by pitch after Penzkover struck out. However, Magpoc put the squeeze on Cameron’s fly ball to left, ending the game.

Frey (0-5) was saddled with the loss for the Lopes after yielding five runs on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts in three innings of work. Lopez collected two of GCU’s five hits in the defeat.

SDSU hit .455 (5-11) with men in scoring position, going 2-for-2 with a runner on third and less than two outs.

San Diego State will remain in the Valley of the Sun for a single game against No. 18/22 Arizona State on Monday, March 30, starting at 6:30 p.m. PDT. The Aztecs-Sun Devils clash from Phoenix Municipal Stadium will air live via subscription basis on ESPN+.