Tuesday/Wednesday: Aztecs travel to Santa Clara

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — One of the good things about baseball is that when you struggle in a game or a series an opportunity to put it behind you comes quickly.

TJ Kendzora

After being swept by Oregon State in a four-game series over the weekend, San Diego State (3-4) travels to Santa Clara (3-4) for games Tuesday and Wednesday against the Broncos. Santa Clara lost two of three games over the weekend to Illinois-Chicago. The Aztecs hold a 15-14 edge in the all-time series. The teams have not met since 2010, when SDSU won three games in a four-game series played at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

SDSU junior right-hander TJ Kendzora (0-0) and senior right-hander Travis Pitcher (0-0) will be the starting pitchers Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, against the Broncos. It is the first start this season for each pitcher, although they combined to make 17 starts for the Aztecs last year. Kendzora has logged one inning of relief so far. Pitcher has totaled 3.2 innings in two relief appearances. Santa Clara is expected to start senior right-hander Tommy Nance (0-0) in one of the games, but the Broncos haven't named their other starter.

Travis Pitcher

The Aztecs will be looking to get the offense going again after scoring just two runs against Oregon State. SDSU is batting a collective .233. Catcher/DH Brad Haynal leads the team with a .357 (10 for 28) batting average is the only active player hitting over .300 on the team, although center fielder Greg Allen (.286) and second baseman Tim Zier (.286) are only a hit away.

The Santa Clara roster includes two local players — junior outfielder Casey Munoz (Cathedral Catholic) and junior right-hander DJ Zapata (Mission Hills). Munoz has started seven games in right field for the Broncos, batting .424 with eight RBI. Zapata (0-1) has made three relief appearances totaling three innings.

The Aztecs return home for a three-game weekend series Friday-Sunday against Seton Hall at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The Pirates are off to an 0-5 start following two losses to North Carolina and three losses to East Tennessee State. The first 500 fans at Friday night's opener will receive Tony Gwynn Jr. replica jersey shirts.