Aztecs a hit at home in 12-2 win over Long Beach St.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Welcome home.

San Diego State played its first home game in 16 days on Tuesday night, banging out 17 hits while Aztecs starting pitcher Mike RoBards and two relievers took care of things on the mound in a 12-2 nonconference victory over Long Beach State at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

"We swung the bats good tonight. We're making progress," said SDSU head coach Tony Gwynn, who collected his 300th career victory with the win. "Tonight was just carryover from the weekend (when the team won two games at Fresno State). "Our pitching's been good. We just have to score some runs.

SDSU (10-11) scored early and often against Long Beach State (9-12), building a 10-1 lead through five innings. By the time it was over, eight of the nine players in SDSU's starting lineup had at least one hit and the Aztecs had reached season highs for hits and runs.

SDSU right fielder Steven Pallares had a game-high three RBI. Second baseman Tim Zier had a game-high four hits while left fielder Matt Munoz added three hits for the Aztecs. Zier, catcher Jake Romanski and third baseman Ty France each drove in two runs.

Romanski and France both had RBI singles in the first inning off Long Beach State starter Eddie Magallon (0-1) to stake the Aztecs to a 2-0 lead. SDSU added a run in the second inning on a single by Zier and a run in the third inning on a single by DH Danny Sheehan.

Long Beach State scored its first run in the fourth inning to make it 4-1, but the Aztecs came right back with two runs in the bottom of the inning on a single by right fielder Steven Pallares and an infield out my first baseman Mitch Bluman.

Four runs in the fifth inning expanded SDSU's lead to 10-1. A sacrifice fly by France and a single to center by Munoz scored the first two runs. Pallares brought home the last two runs with a double to left field. It was SDSU's 13th hit of the game and the only one for extra bases.

The Dirtbags picked up an unearned run in the sixth inning to make it 10-2. SDSU added a pair of runs in the eight on RBI singles by Zier and Romanski to complete the scoring.

RoBards (1-0), a sophomore left-hander from Oceanside High, pitched into the sixth for the Aztecs. He allowed eight hits and one earned run with three strikeouts and one walk before Sapp came on in relief to get the final out of the sixth. Sapp allowed just one hit over 2.1 innings. T.J. Kendzora closed out the Dirtbags in the ninth.

The Aztecs resume Mountain West Conference play this weekend when they play host to UNLV. The series begins Friday at 6:05 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

Aztecs take series with 4-2 win over Fresno State

San Diego State got another strong start from senior right-hander Ryan Doran and shutout relief from Ethan Miller and Bubba Derby for a 4-2 victory Sunday at Fresno State, giving the Aztecs a Mountain West Conference series win on the opening weekend of conference play.

Doran (3-2) allowed eight hits with five strikeouts and one walk over six innings. He gave up single runs in the third and fourth innings, which Fresno State used to take an early 2-1 lead, but was otherwise in command. Miller pitched the seventh and eighth before handing the ball to Derby, who picked up his fifth save of the season.

The bullpen's shutdown performance made it meaningful when the Aztecs (9-11, 2-1) rallied over the final three innings against Fresno State (4-14, 1-2).

Greg Allen's third-inning single up the middle brought home the SDSU's first run of the game. The Aztecs added two more runs in the seventh off Fresno State starting pitcher William Munro (1-2) to take a 3-2 lead. Steven Pallares' RBI triple and Mitch Bluman's RBI single keyed the rally. The Aztecs added a run in the ninth when Jake Romanski was hit by a pitch to open the inning and eventually scored on a wild pitch.

SDSU returns home for Tuesday's game at 6 p.m. against Long Beach State. The Aztecs host UNLV for a three-game MWC series that begins Friday at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

AROUND THE MWC

• New Mexico (8-10, 2-1) won two of three games at UNLV (15-5, 1-2), highlighted by Sunday's 12-7 victory in which third baseman DJ Peterson had two homers and eight RBI. Peterson now has 10 homers.
• Air Force (6-12, 1-2) avoided a sweep at Nevada (13-7, 2-1) with Sunday's 7-3 win.
• Next weekend: Fresno State is at Air Force and Nevada is at New Mexico.

Bats come alive in Aztecs' 11-6 win at Fresno State

San Diego State didn't forget how to score during its recent six-game losing streak, although it almost seemed that way with the Aztecs totaling just eight runs during that stretch.

Good pitching beats good hitting, but c'mon.

On Friday night, the Aztecs made Fresno State starting pitcher Tyler Linehan look good, despite the 9.82 ERA with which he entered the game. Linehan pitched a complete-game shutout in his first start of the season.

SDSU made no such mistake Saturday night against Bulldogs starter Derick Velazquez, pounding the pitcher in an 11-6 Mountain West Conference victory at Fresno State's Beiden Field.

The Aztecs (8-11, 1-1) scored four runs in the first inning — the big blow a three-run homer by freshman third baseman Ty France — against Velazquez. The Bulldogs (4-13, 1-1) were into their bullpen by the fourth inning, Velazquez chased by eight hits and eight runs (six earned).

A three-run seventh inning capped the Aztecs' biggest offensive night of the season. SDSU finished with 13 hits in the game. DH Jake Romanski led the way, going 5-for-6 with three RBI and three runs scored. The performance boosted Romanski's team-high batting average to .400 (26-for-65). Second baseman Tim Zier added three hits and scored three runs. First baseman John Spirk had two hits, as did France, who finished with four RBI.

SDSU junior right-hander Philip Walby was not as effective as he had been in recent weeks, allowing four runs in four innings. Five walks is what hurt Walby, who was replaced by teammate Justin Hepner in the fifth. Hepner (1-1) allowed two runs on four hits over the next four innings before giving way to closer Bubba Derby in the ninth.

The teams conclude the three-game series Sunday at 1:05 p.m. SDSU senior right-hander Ryan Doran (2-2) is scheduled to start on the mound for the Aztecs.

Fresno State edges Aztecs 1-0 in MWC opener

Sometimes the margin between winning and losing is razor thin.

Friday night's Mountain West opener between San Diego State and Fresno State is a prime example. The lone run in SDSU's 1-0 loss at Fresno State's Beiden Field came when the Bulldogs' Austin Wynns crossed the plate just moments before the third out was made by teammate Chris Mariscal at third base. Had Wynns dawdled down the third-base line, the teams might still be playing.

SDSU's Michael Cederoth and Fresno State's Tyler Linehan were locked in a pitching duel throughout the evening.

Cederoth (1-3) allowed eight hits in seven innings with six strikeouts and two walks. He has surrendered just three runs in 15 innings over his last two starts, although the Aztecs have not scored when the sophomore right-hander has been in the game. Cederoth took the loss last week after going eight innings in a 2-0 defeat at Arkansas.

Linehan (1-3) had struggled in eight appearances out of the bullpen this season, coming into the game with a 9.82 ERA. Fresno State coach Mike Batesole must have sensed something in the junior left-hander because Linehan went out and scattered eight hits — two apiece by Greg Allen, Jake Romanski and Evan Potter — in his first start of the season. He struck out seven and walked two in the complete-game shutout.

SDSU (7-11, 0-1) never advanced a base runner past second base against the Bulldogs (4-12, 1-0), who were similarly struggling offensively into the sixth inning.

Cederoth was still in control in the sixth when he retired Fresno State's Trent Garrison on a grounder to first and Jordan Brink on a foul out to third for two quick outs. But then Wynns singled to right and Mariscal singled to left to put runners at first and second. Taylor Ward followed with a double to left that SDSU's Danny Sheehan tracked down and fired into teammate Ty France at third base. France tagged out Mariscal to end the inning, but not before Wynns had touched home plate.

The teams continue the three-game series Saturday at 6:35 p.m. Junior right-hander Philip Walby (1-1) is the scheduled starter on the mound for the Aztecs.

Bring on the Mountain West: Aztecs at Fresno State

Change has been the only constant in the Mountain West Conference the past few years. And so it is again this season as MWC play opens this weekend.

TCU has followed BYU and Utah down the road. Fresno State and Nevada have arrived. There are now six baseball-playing members — Air Force, Fresno State, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State and UNLV — who will all play three-game series home and away for a 30-game conference schedule.

The top four finishers in the regular season advance to the MWC Tournament, which will be played May 22-26 in Fresno. The tournament champion receives the conference's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.

SDSU opens conference play this weekend at Fresno State. Here are the game times and matchups:

FRIDAY
SDSU RHP Michael Cederoth (1-2, 2.49)
vs. Fresno St. LHP Tyler Linehan (0-3, 9.82), 6:35 p.m.

SATURDAY
SDSU RHP Philip Walby (1-1, 2.01)
vs. Fresno St. RHP Derick Velazquez (1-1, 4.38), 6:35 p.m.

SUNDAY
SDSU RHP Ryan Doran (2-2, 3.75)
vs. Fresno St. RHP Tim Borst (1-0, 3.74), 1:05 p.m.

Here's a glimpse at each team in the conference coming into MWC play (series dates with SDSU under logos):

at Colorado Springs,
April 12-14
at San Diego,
May 10-12

AIR FORCE (5-10)
glance: The Falcons find themselves at the top of the standings only when the teams are listed alphabetically. They have been overmatched in conference competition for more than a decade. Last year's five conference victories was their highest total in 10 seasons. And it did include two victories over SDSU, giving the Falcons the home series against the Aztecs. Air Force is batting a collective .275, led by Peter Johnson (.381, 10 RBI), Garrett Custons (.328, 7 RBI, 5 SB), David Baska (.320, 1 HR, 5 RBI) and Alex Bast (.303, 1 HR, 8 RBI). RHPs Cameron White (1-3, 2.35) and Steven Trojan (1-2, 4.22) have been the team's most effective starters.

at Fresno,
March 15-17
at SDSU,
April 26-28

FRESNO STATE (3-12)
glance: The Bulldogs have struggled in the early going and, like SDSU, enter conference play with a five-game losing streak. They were swept in last week's four-game series at Cal. Scoring has been difficult for Fresno State, which has not been shut out but is averaging just under four runs a game. The starting pitching has been the team's bright spot (see starters above), but with a team ERA of 5.36 it's evident that the Bulldogs' bullpen has not been keeping up its end of the bargain. OF Aaron Judge (.328, 3 HR, 12 RBI) is the only player in the starting lineup hitting above .300 on a Bulldogs squad that is batting .224 as a team. Judge also leads the team in homers — they have eight overall — and RBI. 1B Trent Garrison (.296, 7 RBI), C Austin Wynns (.213, 1 HR, 8 RBI), OF Taylor Ward (.180, 1 HR, 7 RBI) and 3B Kevin Viers (.149, 1 HR, 6 RBI) have been the other run producers.

at San Diego,
April 5-7
at Reno,
May 3-5

NEVADA (11-6)
glance: The Wolf Pack arrive following 12 seasons in the WAC, where last season they shared the conference title. They have won six of their past eight games, including three wins over Holy Cross in a series sweep two weeks ago. They split four games with Kansas to open the season and also took three of four against Northern Illinois. 3B Austin Byler (.410, 6 HR, 24 RBI) is crushing it. DH Brooks Klein (.369, 1 HR, 11 RBI), 1B Kewby Meyer (.368, 2 HR, 10 RBI) and OF Jamison Rowe (.259, 1 HR, 10 RBI) are other run-producers. With the offense averaging nearly seven runs a game it has overshadowed the pitching staff's 5.53 ERA. RHPs Bradley Shipley (2-0, 2.93) and Tyler Wells (3-0, 3.32) have been effective. So has LHP Michael Fain (2-0, 1.74, 5 SV, 9 app) in closing.

at Albuquerque,
March 28-30
at San Diego,
May 16-18

NEW MEXICO (6-9)
glance: The Lobos opened the season in the Top 25 and were selected in a preseason coaches poll as the favorite to win the MWC. A challenging preconference schedule — which included two losses in each series with Oklahoma State, Nebraska and UC Riverside as well as single losses to Oklahoma, Iowa and Arizona State — has New Mexico fighting to get to .500. The Lobos are still hitting .327 as a team. Leading the way is DJ Peterson (.476, 8 HR, 22 RBI), who has . Luke Campbell (.385, 1 HR, 18 RBI), Mitch Garvin (.364, 13 RBI) and Alex Allbritton (.286, 10 RBI) and Sam Haggerty (.320, 9 RBI) also have been productive for a team averaging nearly nine runs a game. New Mexico's difficulties have been trying to identify who can get the job done on the mound for a team with a 5.32 ERA. Reliever RHP Josh Walker (1-0, 1.89, 9 app) is the only pitcher with appreciable innings who has been effective. RHPs A.J. Carmen (1-0, 4.67) and Sam Wolff (1-2, 6.50) have each made four starts with mixed results. LHPs Will Mathis (0-4, 7.15, 9 app) and Kevin Baumgartner (0-3, 7.53, 5 app) are being counting upon and keep getting opportunities to get it together.

SAN DIEGO STATE (7-10)
glance: The Aztecs have swept two series — against USD and Seton Hall — and been swept in two series — against Oregon State and Arkansas — in what they knew would be the most challenging part of the schedule. The pitching in general and the starting pitching (see rotation above) in particular has been SDSU's strength. If there is any concern it is that the Aztecs were limited to two or fewer runs in eight of the 10 losses, although they were facing two of the nation's better pitching staffs in those instances. Key cogs in the offense are CF Greg Allen (.314, 7 RBI, 6 SB), 2B Tim Zier (.235, 11 RBI, 5 SB), DH/C Brad Haynal (.250, 8 RBI) and C Jake Romanski (.345). 3B Ty France and LF Matt Munoz account for the team's only two home runs so far. The team is eager for the imminent return of 1B Ryan Muno (.308) from a broken right hand, although 1B John Spirk (.261, 6 RBI) has been productive in place of Muno. Standouts in the SDSU bullpen have been RHPs Ethan Miller (2-0, 2.12, 6 app), Justin Hepner (0-1, 3.48, 6 app) and Bubba Derby (1-1, 4.22, 4 SV, 7 app), the team's freshman closer.

at San Diego,
March 22-24
at Las Vegas,
April 19-21

UNLV (14-3)
glance: The Rebels are riding a 10-game winning streak that includes a three-game sweep at Stanford last weekend to boost the Rebs into the Top 25. UNLV is batting .309 as a team and has six players — OF Brandon Bayardi (.386, 1 HR, 11 RBI), DH Erik VanMeetren (.368, 10 RBI), OF Mark Shannon (.362, 11 RBI), 3B Joey Armstrong (.328, 11 RBI), 1B Justin Jones (.326, 12 RBI) and OF Joey Swanner (.310, 13 RBI) — with double-figure RBI totals. UNLV has been solid in the rotation with RHPs Shannon (2-0, 0.86), Erick Fedde (3-0, 2.25) and John Richy (2-2, 2.96) and in the bullpen with RHPs Andrew Beresford (3-0, 0.93, 2 SV, 6 app), Kenny Oakley (2-0, 1.00, 4 app) and Brady Zuniga (0-0, 3.12 ERA, 2 SV, 5 app). The team ERA is 2.45.

Aztecs fall 4-2 at UC Irvine

San Diego State took an early two-run lead Tuesday night at No. 25-ranked UC Irvine, but SDSU couldn't maintain the advantage in what became a 4-2 loss at Anteater Ballpark.

SDSU sophomore left-hander Mike RoBards got his first start of the season for the Aztecs. He allowed six hits and two runs over five innings with two strikeouts and two walks.

The Aztecs (7-10) took a 2-0 lead with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Ty France's fielder's choice scored Jake Romanski from third base in the fourth for the game's first run. Romanski had doubled with one out and moved to third on Matt Munoz's single to right-center. Greg Allen accounted for the run in the fifth inning when he singled, moved to second on Tim Zier's single, stole third and scored on a passed ball.

UC Irvine (13-4) came back in the bottom of the fifth to make it 2-2. A bunt single by Mikey Duarte scored Grant Palmer, who had tripled, for the first run. Duarte moved to third on teammate Connor Spencer's double before scoring on a sacrifice fly.

Tyler Sapp (0-1) relieved RoBards in the sixth and got two quick outs before Irvine put together the go-ahead rally. Scott Gottschling hit a double, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on teammate Palmer's single to right field to give the Anteaters a 3-2 lead. The Anteaters added an insurance run in the eighth of Bryan Crabb.

Romanski and Allen each had two hits for SDSU.

The Aztecs return to action this weekend when they open Mountain West Conference play with a three-game series Friday at Fresno State.

Arkansas sweeps DH — and series — with Aztecs

San Diego State had to scratch and scrape for runs in the first two games of its four-game series at Arkansas. On Saturday, the Aztecs struggled much of the day just to get a hit in Fayetteville, Ark.

The No. 19-ranked Razorbacks won the first game of Saturday's doubleheader 8-2, with the Aztecs collecting just two hits at Baum Stadium. Arkansas defeated the Aztecs 4-1 in the second game. SDSU managed seven hits in that game, although, like the first game, the Aztecs required a ninth-inning run to avoid being shut out.

In the opener, SDSU (7-9) was still looking for its first hit through seven innings. Pinch hitter Mitch Bluman's one-out single in the eighth inning was the first hit for the Aztecs. SDSU's only other hit came on Tim Zier's single, which scored teammate Evan Potter to avert the Aztecs' second shutout of the series and fourth shutout of the season. Justin Gheorghe's infield groundout brought home SDSU's other run.

Arkansas starting pitcher Trey Killian (2-1) did not allow a base runner until he issued a four-pitch walk to Potter with two outs in the fifth inning. In the sixth, Zier reached on a throwing error to lead off the inning, but he was quickly erased when teammate John Spirk grounded into a doubleplay.

Killian struck out seven and walked one through seven before he was replaced by teammate Colby Suggs to start the eighth inning. Suggs retired Jake Romanski on a liner to left field to start the inning. Bluman then pinch hit for Ty France and singled to right field on a 3-1 pitch to break up the no-hitter.

SDSU starting pitcher Ryan Doran (2-2) allowed eight hits and three runs over the first five innings before Travis Pitcher relieved him. In the sixth, the Razorbacks expanded their lead to 8-0 when they scored three runs (two earned) off Pitcher and two more when he was replaced by Tyler Sapp.

Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn earned his 1,000th career victory with the win by the Razorbacks (11-5) in the first game of the doubleheader. Van Horn is the 65th coach to reach the milestone. Former SDSU head coach Jim Dietz (1,230-751-18) ranks 22nd in all-time coaching victories.

In the second game of the doubleheader, SDSU starting pitcher Ethan Miller had his finest outing of the season. Miller pitched six scoreless innings, allowing three hits with five strikeouts and one walk. The Aztecs turned to freshman closer Bubba Derby (1-1) in the seventh. Derby suffered through his first poor outing, allowing four runs on five hits in 1.1 innings to take the loss.

The Aztecs resume play Tuesday night with a game at UC Irvine before traveling to Fresno State for a three-game series to open Mountain West Conference play.