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Eight Aztec pitchers combine for two-hitter
Source: goaztecs.com
Photo courtesy goaztecs.com
April 18, 2023 (San Diego) - Eight San Diego State pitchers combined on a two-hitter with nine strikeouts on Tuesday, as the Aztecs posted a 1-0 victory over San Diego in a crosstown battle at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
With the win, SDSU (14-19) recorded its second shutout of the season and blanked the Toreros for the first time since a 3-0 whitewash at USD’s Fowler Park on May 5, 2015.
In addition, the Aztecs snapped a three-game slide to the Toreros (15-19-1) and allowed their fewest hits in a game since seven hurlers also yielded two in an 8-3 Senior Day triumph over San José State on May 9, 2021.
Cole Carrigg accounted for SDSU’s lone score of the contest with a solo home run in the bottom of the first on a 1-0 offering from USD starter Peter Michael (0-1), who was saddled with the loss.
Conversely, the Aztecs opened with Julian Jackson (1-0), who tossed the first two innings to pick up his first victory in a Scarlet and Black uniform. The SDSU right-hander gave up one of the Toreros two hits on the night, a two-out Will Worthington in the top of the second. However, the Powder Springs, Georgia native got out of the inning after Ben Haar flew out to left.
Earlier, Jackson faced adversity in the first after hitting a pair of batters, James Arakawa and Angelo Peraza, sandwiched around a strikeout to Justin DeCriscio. The Aztec junior got through unscathed, however, thanks to a tailor-made 1-4-3 double play.
San Diego State subsequently employed seven relievers, with Ricky Tibbett, Xavier Cardenas III, Aidan Russell, Issac Araiza, Jonny Guzman, Eldridge Armstrong III and Kelena Sauer each tossing one inning.
Cardenas gave up an infield single to Kevin Sim in the top of the fourth but promptly erased the USD baserunner with a pickoff throw at first. The Aztec freshman then struck out Jack Gurevitch to end the frame.
Worthington drew a one-out walk off Aidan Russell in the fifth but was caught stealing following Haar’s flyout.
SDSU’s next three hurlers each put goose eggs, as Araiza, Guzman and Armstrong flashed their dominance with two strikeouts apiece.
Pinch hitter Dustin Allen reached on an error to lead off the ninth. But after Arakawa’s sacrifice bunt, Sauer induced two straight groundouts by Decriscio and Peraza to secure his seventh save of the year.
The Aztecs were seeking to extend their lead in the fourth when Carrigg was issued a leadoff walk. However, the SDSU center fielder was caught stealing shortly thereafter. TJ Fondtain then reached on a fielding error but was left stranded following a pair of groundouts induced by Mason Schmidt.
Shaun Montoya and Caden Miller recorded the Aztecs’ two other hits on singles in the sixth and seventh, respectively. Montoya was caught stealing to end the former threat, while Miller was left stranded following a wild pitch and a groundout.
Chase Minor, one of seven USD relievers, led the visitors with a pair of strikeouts in the second.
San Diego State continues its homestand with a three-game Mountain West series against Nevada April 21-23 at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The Wolf Pack (15-19, 6-11 MW) won two of three games at home vs. Air Force last weekend. ECM Sports may have coverage of one of these games. Follow our Twitter @ECMagSports for updates.
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