Arkansas drops heartbreaker at SDSU
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – San Diego State’s Cody Slader hit a two-run, game-winning single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to lift the Aztecs to a 3-2 win over Arkansas on Saturday night at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
Arkansas sees its six-game winning streak come to an end, falling to 12-2 on the year. San Diego State is now 3-12 on the campaign.
Trailing 2-1 entering the bottom of the ninth, the Aztecs mounted a two-run rally to claim their first win of the series. Brad Haynal opened the inning with a double to right-center field and pinch hitter Brandon Meredith was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second. Chris Wilson laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position with one out. Nolan Sanburn then came in and struck out Tim Zier on three pitches for the second out of the inning. Slader then hit a 2-0 pitch in to center field, scoring both runners to give the Aztecs a 3-2 win.
TJ Kendzora (2-2) earned the win for the Aztecs, throwing a shutout inning in relief. Randall Fant (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing two runs on one hit in 1.1 innings.
Arkansas starter Brandon Moore was sensational on the mound, throwing a career-high seven innings and allowing just one run, while fanning four without issuing a walk.
San Diego State starter Corey Black was equally as strong, surrendering just two runs and striking out 13 over eight innings of action.
Dominic Ficociello continued his hot hitting at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored. Bo Bigham also added two hits, while Matt Reynolds had a RBI.
Slader had two hits and two RBI to lead the Aztecs, while Haynal also added two hits.
Arkansas struck first for the third straight night, scoring a run in the third inning. Carver led off the inning with an infield single to short and moved to second on a one-out stolen base. After Morris popped out to short for the second out of the inning, Carver advanced to third on a wild pitch. Reynolds doubled to left field to score Carver for the first run of the game.
The Razorbacks added another run in the fourth. Ficociello doubled to start the inning and moved to third on a single to right field by Bigham. After the next two batters were retired, Ficociello was awarded home after the home plate umpire ruled that the ball had become lodged in the catcher’s chest protector following a pitch to Collin Kuhn.
San Diego State dented the plate for the first time in the sixth inning. Jared Hunt led off the inning with a single to right and then stole second. Jomel Torres drove in Hunt with a double down the left field line. With two outs, Wilson singled to left field. Torres attempted to score from second on the play, but Kuhn threw him out at the plate to end the inning and preserve the one-run Arkansas lead.
Arkansas and San Diego State close the four-game series on Sunday with a 3 p.m. (CT) first pitch. Arkansas will start sophomore lefty Cade Lynch (1-0, 1.93), while San Diego State will counter with sophomore right-handed pitcher Bryan Crabb (0-2, 12.00).
