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Source: goaztecs.com
February 24, 2023 (San Diego) - The visiting Washington State Cougars erupted for eight runs in the fourth inning to key their 14-1 victory over San Diego State Friday at a blustery Tony Gwynn Stadium.
Despite combining for 11 strikeouts, Aztec pitchers were plagued by six wild pitches and three hit batters, while the defense was beset by four errors in the Scarlet and Black’s first game of this weekend’s Tony Gwynn Legacy.
Offensively, SDSU (0-5) was limited to just five hits, including Poncho Ruiz’s RBI single in the sixth, which accounted for the host school’s lone marker of the afternoon.
On the flip side, WSU (5-1) was paced by Jacob McKeon’s three hits and five RBIs, highlighted by a two-run homer in the fifth, while Sam Brown and Greg Fuchs finished with three RBIs apiece.
The Aztecs trailed just 2-0 until the fateful fourth when the Cougars plated eight runs on five hits and three walks, capitalizing on two errors and a wild pitch.
In all, WSU sent 12 batters to the plate in the frame, as Fuchs capped the outburst with a three-run double following Brown’s own two-bagger, which drove in another pair of runners.
SDSU utilized three pitchers on the day, including Omar Serrano, who set a career high with seven strikeouts over the final 4 1/3 innings of the contest. The Aztec right-hander gave up just two hits in his relief stint but yielded a pair of unearned runs in the ninth, which accounted for the final score.
Caden Kaelber (2-0) earned his second victory of the season in as many starts for the Cougars, offsetting one run on three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts of his own in six innings. Shane Spencer followed with two scoreless frames, fanning four hitters against one hit, while Chase Girillo worked the ninth, inducing a double play to end the game following Jaron Nevarez’s pinch-hit single up the middle.
SDSU starter TJ Fondtain (0-1) was saddled with the loss after ceding seven runs (six earned) on four hits and three walks against four strikeouts, while Isaac Araiza took over with one out in the fourth.
In addition, to Ruiz and Nevarez, the Aztecs also received hits from Cole Carrigg, Drew Giannini and Irvin Weems.
The Tony Gwynn Legacy will pause on Saturday due to expected rain in the area before resuming on Sunday with San Diego State taking on North Dakota State starting at 6 p.m. ECM Sports may have coverage of this contest; follow @ECMagSports for updates.
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