Aztecs Topple Baseball, 9-2

Saturday, April 12

San Diego, Calif.

1:00 PM

University of Utah

13-16, 3-4

San Diego State

20-15, 8-3

University of Utah

San Diego State

4/12/2008 12:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

April 12, 2008

Box Score

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The University of Utah baseball team couldn't convert on its opportunities as it left nine runners on, including seven in scoring position, in falling to San Diego State this afternoon, 9-2.

By the time Utah (13-16 overall, 3-4 Mountain West) converted with runners on, it was the ninth inning and Utah couldn't overcome the nine-run deficit.

"We didn't play well in any phase of the game today," said head coach Bill Kinneberg. "We didn't play defense well, and that allowed San Diego State to score five runs on us early in the game. Also, we didn't swing the bats like we're capable of doing. Perhaps it was a hangover from yesterday's performance, but we didn't hit very well either."

The Utes plated two runs in their last at bat. With runners on the corner, Nick Kuroczko grounded out to the second baseman, netting the RBI when Cooper Blanc scored from third. Fred Ferguson, who advanced to second on Kuroczko's ground out, would score on the very next play. Corey Shimada belted an RBI triple to center field.

Brian Budrow got the start on the mound for the Utes, and takes the loss in falling to 4-3 on the season. He threw for 5.2 innings allowing seven runs (five earned), nine hits and three walks. Budrow also whiffed three Aztec batters.

SDSU out-slugged Utah today, 12-9. Three Ute hitters accounted for six of the team's hits this afternoon. Shimada was 2-for-5 with an RBI, Michael Beltran was 2-for-3 and Cooper Blanc was 2-for-4. The visitors did hammer out three extra-base hits. Cody Guymon and DC Legg both tallied doubles. Guymon hit a two-sacker in the sixth, and Legg did it in the seventh. Shimada smacked an RBI triple in the ninth.

A Utah throwing error allowed SDSU to get on the board, as a failed double-play attempt allowed Brandon Decker and Pat Colwell to score in the bottom of the first. Both runs were unearned, but it was enough to hold Utah at bay today.

San Diego State (20-15, 8-3 MWC) added to its lead with a sac fly by Garett Green in the third and a two-run homer by Colwell in the fourth. Two more in the sixth, a solo homer in the seventh and an RBI single in the eighth gave SDSU its nine-run cushion.

J.R. Murphy got the nod on the hill for SDSU and is awarded the win. He improves to 5-1 on the year.

Colwell and Decker combined for eight of the team's 12 hits today. Colwell hit for the cycle (single, double, triple and homer) this afternoon. Decker also had four hits.

The same two teams will dual again in San Diego on Sunday. First pitch at Tony Gwynn Stadium is set for 1 p.m. (PT).