New Mexico completes sweep of Aztecs

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — No. 16-ranked New Mexico completed a three-game Mountain West Conference sweep of San Diego State with an 11-7 win Saturday afternoon in a game that included a little controversy at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

A collision at home plate in the seventh inning involving SDSU's John Spirk and New Mexico catcher Alex Real briefly led to Spirk's ejection — a decision that was later overturned — and also led to the ejection of SDSU head coach Tony Gwynn when he came out to argue the play with home plate umpire Dominic Giarratano.

The Aztecs scored the go-ahead run, which made it 7-6, on perhaps the most controversial play of the season. Spirk came home on Justin Gheorghe's one-out single to right field. The throw home short-hopped past Real, who moved into the third-base line while trying to field the ball. Spirk collided with Real a few feet up the line before then touching the plate.

Giarratano called Spirk out and ejected him for colliding with the catcher, believing Spirk had thrown an elbow on the play (NCAA rules require players to avoid contact at all costs). The three umpires engaged in a lengthy discussion moments later to discuss the play and the decision to eject Spirk was reversed as it was decided that he put his arms up to protect himself during the collision.

Gwynn, who had come out to argue Spirk being called out, was ejected by Giarratano amid the confusion surrounding the play. It was the third ejection in Gwynn's 11 seasons as head coach.

The momentum for SDSU (15-15, 26-28) was short-lived as the Lobos (25-5, 28-18) regained the lead with three runs in the eighth inning and added two more in the ninth in a game that closed out the regular season for both teams.

New Mexico took control early, building a 5-1 lead through three and a half innings. But the Aztecs rallied for four runs in the fourth to make it 5-5. Shortstop Evan Potter's two-out, bases-loaded double brought home three of the runs. Potter then scored on Jake Romanski's single.

After New Mexico regained the lead with a run in the fifth, the Aztecs tied it again 6-6 in their half of the inning. Potter took one for the team, getting hit by a pitch from the Lobos' Hobie McClain to force home the run. Potter, who has made a name for himself with outstanding defense, finished the game with a career-high four RBI.

The Aztecs now shift their focus to the MWC Tournament, which begins Wednesday at Fresno State. No. 3-seeded SDSU opens the double-elimination tournament against No. 6-seeded Air Force. Junior right-hander Philip Walby (3-3, 3.60) is expected to start on the mound for the Aztecs. No. 4 seed Fresno State plays No. 5 seed Nevada in Wednesday's other game. Top-seeded New Mexico and No. 2 seed UNLV receive first-round byes.

If SDSU beats Air Force, then the Aztecs will play UNLV on Thursday.

The MWC Tournament champion receives the conference's automatic berth to the 64-team NCAA Tournament.

MOUNTAIN WEST STANDINGS

New Mexico (25-5, 35-18)

UNLV (18-12, 36-18)

San Diego State (15-15, 26-28)

Fresno State (13-16, 20-31)*

Nevada (11-18, 24-29)*

Air Force (7-23, 15-37)

*does not include Saturday night's game

Aztecs close out regular season with New Mexico

SAN DIEGO, Calif — The Aztecs conclude the regular season this weekend with a three-game Mountain West Conference series against No. 16-ranked New Mexico.

Don't expect too much drama since this series could end up being more about positioning for next week's MWC Tournament than it is about this weekend's wins and losses. Slotting for the tournament is all but set. The Lobos have clinched the regular-season title and No. 1 berth in the tourney. SDSU is in third place and would need to pick up two games in the standings on second-place UNLV (which plays Air Force this weekend) in order to take the No. 2 seed in the tournament. The top two teams receive a first-round bye.

Setting up for the tournament is reflected in SDSU's pitching rotation, which features sophomore left-hander Michael RoBards in Sunday's finale. Junior right-hander Philip Walby (3-3, 3.53) has been in that spot, but Walby is being held in reserve to pitch the team's opening game in the tournament. As it now stands, No. 3 seed SDSU would play No. 6 seed Air Force in its first game.

Here's a look at the weekend's probable pitching matchups:

THURSDAY

New Mexico RHP Josh Walker (8-3, 4.19) vs. SDSU RHP Michael Cederoth (3-6, 3.49), 6 p.m.

FRIDAY

New Mexico RHP Sam Wolff (1-2, 5.52) vs. SDSU RHP Ryan Doran (7-2, 2.83), 6 p.m.

SATURDAY

New Mexico RHP Drew Bridges (3-1, 4.35) vs. SDSU LHP Michael RoBards (3-1, 2.89), 2 p.m.

MOUNTAIN WEST STANDINGS

New Mexico (22-5, 32-18)
UNLV (16-11, 34-17)

San Diego State (15-12, 26-25)

Nevada (11-16, 24-27)
Fresno State (11-16, 18-31)

Air Force (6-21, 14-35)

Aztecs take series against Air Force with 9-2 win

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — San Diego State broke out the bats on a warm Sunday afternoon, scoring early and often in a 9-2 Mountain West Conference victory over Air Force that gave the Aztecs a series win.

The Aztecs (26-25, 15-12 MWC) scored four runs in the first inning and added three more in the second to beat Air Force (14-35, 6-21) for the 28th time in the past 29 meetings at Tony Gwynn Stadium. That was plenty of run support for junior right-hander Philip Walby, who limited the Falcons to two fifth-inning runs. Walby (3-3) allowed four hits over seven innings with one strikeout and two walks before sophomore left-hander Michael RoBards and junior right-hander Justin Hepner finished off the Falcons.

SDSU enters the final weekend of conference play trailing UNLV by one game for second place. The top two teams in the regular season receive a first-round by in the double-elimination MWC Tournament, which will be played May 22-26 in Fresno. The Aztecs play host to conference champion New Mexico for three games this weekend while the Rebels travel to Air Force.

In Sunday's game, the Aztecs jumped on Air Force starting pitcher Steven Trojan (3-6) from the outset, with the first five hitters he faced reaching base. Matt Munoz led off with a single and Greg Allen walked before Tim Zier singled up the middle for the game's first run. When Ryan Muno walked and Jake Romanski was hit by a pitch to force in another run, Trojan's day was done without recording an out. Air Force went to the bullpen and reliever Alex Baker allowed one run on Ty France's infield out and another on Brad Haynal's sacrifice fly to make it 4-0.

Zier singled in another run in the second inning and Romanski singled in two more, giving SDSU a 7-0 advantage. Haynal's RBI single in the sixth completed the scoring. Zier led the Aztecs' 12-hit attack with three hits. He also drove in three runs, giving him 35 RBI on the season to share the team lead with Muno. Romanski also drove in three runs in the game and Haynal had two RBI.

MOUNTAIN WEST STANDINGS

New Mexico (22-5, 32-18)
UNLV (16-11, 34-17)

San Diego State (15-12, 26-25)

Nevada (11-16, 24-27)

Fresno State (11-16, 18-31)

Air Force (6-21, 14-35)

REMAINING MWC SCHEDULE

May 16-18

New Mexico at San Diego State

UNLV at Air Force

Nevada at Fresno State

May 22-26

MWC Tournament at Fresno State

This weekend: Aztecs play host Air Force

SAN DIEGO, Calif — The Aztecs have had tremendous success against Air Force through the years. It would be especially helpful this weekend if they can continue that success against the Falcons.

A few numbers: SDSU is 88-20 all-time against Air Force, winning 38 of the past 41 meetings. The Aztecs are 26-0 at home against the Falcons over the past decade.

Extending that unbeaten streak could be essential to SDSU's hopes of finishing in second place in the Mountain West and earning one of the two first-round byes in the MWC Tournament. New Mexico already has secured one spot as the conference champion. The Aztecs are currently tied for second place with UNLV in the battle for the second spot. SDSU needs to finish ahead of the Rebels, who would win a tie-breaker after beating the Aztecs in four of six meetings this season.

SDSU is expected to get a boost this weekend with the return of sophomore right-hander Michael Cederoth, who was held out of the rotation last week at Nevada to rest a strained oblique.

Here's a look at the probable pitching matchups:

FRIDAY

Air Force RHP Cameron White (2-9, 5.04) vs. SDSU RHP Michael Cederoth (3-5, 3.41), 6 p.m.

SATURDAY

Air Force LHP Ben Bertelson (1-5, 7.41) vs. SDSU RHP Ryan Doran (6-2, 2.92), 1 p.m.

note: game to be televised by CBS Sports Network

SUNDAY

Air Force RHP Steven Trojan (3-5, 4.98) vs. SDSU RHP Philip Walby (2-3, 3.62), 1 p.m.

MOUNTAIN WEST STANDINGS

New Mexico (20-4, 30-17)
UNLV (13-11, 31-17)

San Diego State (13-11, 24-24)

Nevada (11-13, 24-24)
Fresno State (10-14, 17-29)

Air Force (5-19, 13-33)

REMAINING MWC SCHEDULE

May 10-12

Air Force at San Diego State

UNLV at Nevada

New Mexico at Fresno State

May 16-18

New Mexico at San Diego State

UNLV at Air Force

Nevada at Fresno State

May 22-26

MWC Tournament at Fresno State

Aztecs' rally spoiled by Nevada's walkoff homer

San Diego State staged a furious ninth-inning rally Sunday at Nevada to tie their Mountain West Conference game, only to watch the Wolf Pack win it 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth with a walkoff home run.

The loss prevented the Aztecs from moving ahead of UNLV in the conference standings. The teams are battling for second place, which brings with it a first-round bye in the double-elimination MWC Tournament. New Mexico already is assured of the No. 1 berth after clinching the regular season title on Sunday when the Lobos completed a three-game sweep of Air Force.

The Aztecs lost 7-1 to Nevada in Friday's opener before pulling out a 4-3 win in 10 innings on Saturday, setting up Sunday's series-deciding game.

Nevada starting pitcher Tom Jameson threw eight shutout innings before giving way to closer Michael Fain in the ninth. SDSU's Brad Haynal greeted Fain with a leadoff home run to left field to make it 3-1.  Ty France singled and Evan Potter followed two outs later with a walk and both runners scored on a double by Matt Munoz that made it 3-3. The excitement of the rally was short-lived. Nevada's Brad Gerig homered to left field on the first pitch from SDSU closer Bubba Derby.

The Aztecs travel to UC Riverside on Tuesday for the season's final nonconference game before resuming MWC play this weekend with a three-game series against Air Force at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

MOUNTAIN WEST STANDINGS

New Mexico (20-4, 30-17)
UNLV (13-11, 30-17)

San Diego State (13-11, 23-24)

Nevada (11-13, 24-23)
Fresno State (10-14, 16-29)

Air Force (5-19, 13-33)

REMAINING MWC SCHEDULE

May 10-12

Air Force at San Diego State

UNLV at Nevada

New Mexico at Fresno State

May 16-18

New Mexico at San Diego State

UNLV at Air Force

Nevada at Fresno State

May 22-26

MWC Tournament at Fresno State

This weekend: Aztecs at Nevada for MWC series

San Diego State can solidify its second-place standing in the Mountain West Conference this weekend in its three-game series at Nevada.

The Aztecs swept Nevada when the Wolf Pack visited San Diego four weeks ago. The tone for the series was set in SDSU's series-opening, 2-0 victory as Michael Cederoth outdueled Nevada's Braden Shipley, a projected high first-round draft pick.

Cederoth is missing this week's start to rest an oblique strain. Sophomore left-hander Michael RoBards, who has stepped up in Tuesday starts and this week earned Mountain West Pitcher of the Week, is expected to start in Cederoth's place.

Here's a look at the series:

FRIDAY

SDSU LHP Michael RoBards (3-0, 2.52) vs. Nevada RHP Braden Shipley (6-2, 2.70), 6 p.m.

SATURDAY

SDSU RHP Ryan Doran (6-2, 2.83) vs. Nevada LHP Tyler Wells (4-3, 4.09), 1 p.m.

SUNDAY

SDSU RHP Philip Walby (2-3, 3.66) vs. Nevada RHP Tom Jameson (1-6, 6.30), 1 p.m.

SDSU GLANCE
The Aztecs come into the series following Monday's 8-2 loss to USF. ... SDSU's offense includes six players with at least 20 RBI — second baseman Tim Zier (.317, 29 RBI, 12 SB), first baseman Ryan Muno (.330, 2 HR, 28 RBI), third baseman Ty France (.245, 3 HR, 23 RBI), catcher Jake Romanski (.352, 22 RBI), center fielder Greg Allen (.298, 20 RBI, 18 SB) and DH Brad Haynal (.258, 2 HR, 20 RBI).

NEVADA GLANCE
The Wolf Pack took two of three games at Air Force last weekend to stay within three games of second place. They lost 7-6 to Sacramento State earlier in the week. ... Third baseman Austin Byler (.356, 8 HR, 39 RBI) and right fielder Brooks Klein (.339, 6 HR, 37 RBI) have combined for half the team's home runs. ... Like the Aztecs with Bubba Derby, Nevada also has a freshman closer in Michael Fain (2-3, 5.91, 9 SV).

MOUNTAIN WEST STANDINGS

New Mexico (17-4, 27-17)
San Diego State (12-9, 22-22)

UNLV (11-10, 28-16)

Nevada (9-12, 22-22)
Fresno State (9-12, 15-27)

Air Force (5-16, 13-30)

Aztecs take series against Fresno State with 4-2 win

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — San Diego State took advantage of solid pitching and defense and timely hitting Sunday afternoon for a 4-2 Mountain West Conference victory over Fresno State that gave the Aztecs the series at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

The victory enabled SDSU (22-21, 12-9) to move past UNLV (27-16, 11-10) into second place in the conference standings, five games back of first-place New Mexico (27-16, 17-4). Fresno State (14-27, 9-12) is tied for fourth with Nevada (9-12, 22-21). The top two teams in the regular season receive a first-round bye at the double-elimination MWC Tournament, which will be hosted May 22-26 by Fresno State.

The Aztecs took control early against the Bulldogs in the deciding game of the three-game series, building a 3-0 lead through four innings. SDSU opened the scoring in the second inning when Ty France's two-out double scored teammate Ryan Muno from first base. The Aztecs added two more runs in the fourth when Greg Allen and Tim Zier opened the inning with back-to-back singles and both eventually scored on wild pitches by Fresno State starting pitcher Tim Borst (1-2).

Fresno State made it a 3-2 game with single runs in both the fifth and sixth innings against SDSU junior right-hander Philip Walby. The Aztecs responded in the bottom of the sixth when Zier advanced to second on a two-base throwing error leading off the inning and later scored to make it 4-2 when Muno hit into a double play.

Walby (3-2) allowed two runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings with four strikeouts and three walks.

Freshman right-hander Tyler Sapp relieved Walby with two outs and the bases loaded in the seventh and got out of the predicament with an inning-ending double play. On the play, Fresno State's Chris Mariscal hit a liner that SDSU shortstop Evan Potter dove to his right to snag and then flipped to Zier to double off the runner at second base.

The Aztecs escaped trouble again in the eighth inning with their defense. Right fielder Steven Pallares battled the sun before making a rolling catch at the warning track on a liner hit by Jordan Luplow. That saved a run. The Aztecs got out of the inning moment laters when Taylor Tempel hit a ball hard off the glove of France at third and ricocheted to Potter, who threw out Tempel at first base. Potter made another fine play in the ninth, ranging behind second base for a diving stop before throwing Brody Russell out at first.

SDSU sophomore left-hander Mike RoBards got the last out of the eighth and the first out of the ninth before freshman closer Bubba Derby came on to finish off the Bulldogs for his ninth save of the season.

The Aztecs return to the field Monday at 3 p.m. for a nonconference home game against the University of San Francisco before returning to the road for a three-game MWC series Friday-Sunday at Nevada.

MOUNTAIN WEST STANDINGS

New Mexico (17-4, 27-16)
San Diego State (12-9, 22-21)
UNLV (11-10, 27-16)

Fresno State (9-12, 14-27)

Nevada (9-12, 22-21)

Air Force (5-16, 12-30)