Utes Drop Heartbreaker, 10-9, to San Diego State

Saturday, April 19

Salt Lake City, Utah

TBA

University of Utah

San Diego State (DH)

Utes Drop Heartbreaker, 10-9, to San Diego State

4/19/2003 12:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

April 19, 2003

Box Score

SALT LAKE CITY - In game two of the twinbill between Utah (18-20, 6-10) and San Diego State (18-23, 11-7), the Utes suffered a heartbreaking defeat. After coming from behind to take an 8-5 lead in the eighth, Utah gave up five runs in the ninth and lost 10-9.

San Diego State struck early, first on an RBI-single, then on a two-run homer, quickly jumping out to a 3-0 lead.

Utah answered in the bottom of the first when freshman Ryan Khoury, who had reached on a base hit, scored on a passed ball. The Utes stranded three batters on the inning.

The Aztecs added runs in both the third and fourth innings, both on an RBI-singles, making it 5-1.

After two and a half scoreless innings, the Utes came alive in the bottom of the seventh, scoring four runs and tying the game at five. It started when sophomore Matt Ciaramella knocked a two-run homer deep to right center. Junior Mike Westfall then singled and made it home on a triple by junior Cort Wilson. Freshman Matt Anderson cracked a one-run single to center field, plating Wilson.

Utah took its first lead of the game in the eighth on back-to-back singles by junior Jared Pena and Khoury, followed by an intentional walk of Ciaramella. The Aztec pitcher then walked home the go-ahead run. The next batter, Wilson, hit a two-run single, making it 8-5.

In the top of the ninth, the Aztecs scored first on an RBI-single. With one out and runners at first and third, San Diego State sacrifice flied in another run, making it 8-7 in favor of the Utes.

Then, with a 1-2 count, the Aztecs' Chad Corona cracked a three-run home run, giving San Diego State a 10-8 lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, junior Eric Chevalier scored on a Jake Jordison single, bringing the Utes within one. With two outs and runners at first and third, Ciaramella, a switch hitter who had been hitting right-handed up until this point, flied out to the left fielder.

Freshman Derek Larsen (3-3) suffered the loss. He pitched 1/3 of an inning, giving up one hit and one run.

Sophomore Brady Martinez got his first start of the year, pitching 5 1/3 innings. He gave up five runs on 10 hits while striking out seven.

Ciaramella led Utah at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI. Westfall finished 2-for-3, while Chevalier was 2-for-4. Each scored one run.

Wilson, Khoury and Udy each went 2-for-5 on the day. Wilson had one run and drove in three others, while Khoury scored two runs and Udy scored one.

UP NEXT: The Utes travel to St. George, Utah, for a three-game series with Southern Utah next Monday and Tuesday.