AZTEC BASEBALL OPENS NEVADA SERIES WITH A 6-3 VICTORY

Four-run inning carries SDSU to conference win

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo:  Danny Sheehan had a pair of hits, including his first home run of the year, in the win over Nevada Friday evening.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

April 8, 2017 (San Diego) - San Diego State used a four-run fourth inning to break a 1-1 tie and went on to defeat Nevada, 6-3, Friday evening at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The win, coupled with New Mexico’s loss at San Jose State earlier in the day, moved the Aztecs to within one game of the league-leading Lobos in the conference standings.

SDSU, which won for the sixth straight time, improved to 22-9 overall and 10-3 in the Mountain West. The Wolf Pack, meanwhile, saw its record drop to 8-23 (4-9 MW).

The Aztecs opened the scoring with a run in their half of the second inning. After Tyler Adkison doubled down the left field line, Chase Calabuig’s two-out single gave the home side a 1-0 lead.

Nevada answered back with a run of its own in the top of the fourth on a double, hit batter and run-scoring single by Mike Echavia.

The 1-1 deadlock did not last long, however, as SDSU rallied for four runs in the bottom of the fourth on four hits, a pair of walks and a Wolf Pack error.

The Aztecs put runners at first and second on a one-out double by Alan Trejo and walk to Andrew Brown. Danny Sheehan then beat out a bunt to third, and when the charging third baseman turned and threw back to third in an attempt to get the lead runner, the ball sailed down the left field line allowing both Trejo and Brown to score. Jordan Verdon and Ryan Orr also had RBI singles later in the inning to give the Aztecs a 5-1 lead.

Sheehan added a run to SDSU’s lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with a solo home run to left center, his first of the season.

Aztec starting pitcher Brett Seeburger would go six innings-plus and be charged with two runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts. When the top of the seventh began with a single and RBI double, Seeburger was lifted in favor of freshman reliever Adrian Mardueno. Seeburger would be credited with the pitching victory to improve to 6-1.

After a walk and bunt single loaded the bases with no outs, it appeared the Wolf Pack was about to get back into the game. But Mardueno proceeded to strike out the ensuing three batters to strand all three runners and preserve SDSU’s 6-2 lead.

Nevada tallied one more run in the top of the eighth, before CJ Saylor was called on for the final inning. The Aztec closer retired the side in order in the final frame to notch his ninth save of the season.

Trejo (2B, run scored), Sheehan (HR, RBI, two runs scored) and Calabuig ended the night with two hits apiece for the Aztecs.

San Diego State and Nevada will continue their three-game series on Saturday (April 8) with a contest scheduled to get underway at 2:00 p.m. PT at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

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