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Aztec starter Chris Canada posts career-high nine strikeouts
Source: goaztecs.com
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
March 26, 2023 (San Diego) - San Diego State continued to light up the scoreboard in game two of its Mountain West weekend series against Air Force on Saturday after rolling to a big 13-1 triumph at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
The Aztecs (7-11, 4-2 MW) also received another stellar pitching performance to secure the series victory and move into a tie for first place with San José State in the conference standings.
The Falcons (8-15, 3-5 MW) were limited to four hits and committed four costly errors, while SDSU hurlers combined for 13 strikeouts in the win.
Aztec starter Chris Canada (1-2) picked up his first victory of the season after setting a career high with nine strikeouts in six innings of work, allowing just one run on three hits and a trio of walks.
Offensively, TJ Fondtain (3 RBIs) and Irvin Weems (2 RBIs) shouldered a substantial burden for the Scarlet and Black with three hits apiece, while Cade Martinez and Poncho Ruiz finished with a pair of hits each. Not to be outdone, Cole Carrigg scored four runs and stole two bases.
Air Force plated its only run in the first when Jay Thomason singled home Sam Kulasingam, who walked and moved into scoring position after Jake Greiving was hit by a pitch.
From then on, it was all Aztecs, who responded with three runs on four hits and one error in the bottom of the first to vault in front for good. Weems led off with a base hit to center, while Shaun Montoya got aboard on a bunt single, with both runners circling the bases after Thomason’s wild throw to first on Carrigg’s subsequent bunt attempt careened into foul territory. Carrigg motored around to the third on the play and ultimately scored on Fondtain’s RBI single through the left side.
SDSU tacked on a run in the fourth, capitalizing on another miscue when Carrigg reached on a fielding error at third, stole second and eventually scored on Fondtain’s double down the right-field line.
Leading 4-1, the Aztecs essentially broke open the contest in the fourth with three runs on three hits. After Martinez drew a lead off walk and advanced on a wild pitch, Caden Miller followed with a triple to right center and quickly scored when Weems doubled to center. Moments later, Carrigg reached on a fielder choice and swiped second base once again before crossing the plate on Fondtain’s second double of the evening.
SDSU continued its hit parade in the fifth on RBI doubles by Martine and Weems to extend its advantage to 9-1.
The Aztecs were poised to go quietly in the eighth after a pair of strikeouts on the heels of Weems’ leadoff walk and Carrigg’s single to center. Before the inning was over, however, the Scarlet and Black plated four additional markers to account for the final tally.
Two wild pitches allowed Weems to score, while Xavier Gonzalez walked and raced home behind Carrigg after Ruiz singled and advanced to second on center fielder Blake Covin’s fielding error. Moments later, Tino Bethancourt knocked in Ruiz with a base hit through the left side.
The Falcons employed four pitchers on the night, including starter Dylan Rogers (0-4), who yielded seven runs (four earned) on seven hits and a pair of walks before giving way to Duke Benge to start the fifth.
Benge gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in his three-inning stint, while Ryan Stohr pitched a dubious eighth before Ben Weber recorded the final out in that frame.
Conversely, SDSU’s Ricky Tibbett (2.0 IP) and Xavier Cardenas III (1.0 IP) struck out two batters apiece in their respective appearances in relief of Canada.
After the first inning, Canada faced his biggest threat in the fourth after giving up a leadoff single to Thomason followed by a pair of two out walks to Aerik Joe and Landon Boyd, which loaded the bases. However, the Aztec left-hander avoided disaster by inducing a popout on the first pitch to Covin.
Canada then saved his best for last by getting three strikeouts looking in the sixth.
San Diego State will look to complete the weekend sweep when the two teams battle each other in the series finale on Sunday at 1 p.m. ECM Sports may have coverage of this game; follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for updates.
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