April 5, 2002

Box Score

San Diego - San Diego scored three quick runs in the first inning and went on to defeat New Mexico, 4-2, in Mountain West Conference baseball action Friday evening at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The win upped the Aztecs' season record to 23-12 overall and 6-3 in league play. The Lobos fell to 15-18 (5-5 MWC).

Anthony Gwynn led off the game for SDSU with a bunt single, went to second on a throwing error by UNM pitcher James Vermilyea on a pickoff attempt, and advance to third on a passed ball. Ryan Wilson then singled home Gwynn to stake the Aztecs to a 1-0 lead.

A double by Chad Corona down the right field line put runners on second and third. Jake McLintock picked up an RBI on a groundout to second and Carlo Cota followed with a single to score the third run of the inning.

San Diego State added another run on a solo homer by first baseman Jon Stephens in the sixth, his second of the season.

Junior Chris Dunwell (5-3) threw 7.1 strong innings for the Aztecs, allowing one run on seven hits while striking out five. He came out of the game in the eighth inning after walking a batter with one out. Erik Fielder came on in relief, but was touched up for a double and single that allowed two runs to score.

Royce Ring entered the contest later in the inning, and went on to record his 10th save of the season. He walked one and struck out one in his 1.1 innings or work. Ring is now two saves shy of tying the single-season record of 12 saves set by Curtis Smith during the 1979 campaign.

UNM's Vermilyea threw a complete game, but suffered the loss to even his season ledger at 5-5. He struck out 12 and walked only two over eight innings.

The victory enabled SDSU to take over first place in the MWC standings, a half-game ahead of Brigham Young (6-4), which lost at home to Utah Friday night. New Mexico (5-5) and Utah (5-6) are right behind the Cougars while UNLV and Air Force have identical 4-6 marks.

The Aztecs and Lobos continue their three-game series Saturday evening (April 6) at 6:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

San Diego State 4, New Mexico 2
UNM 000 000 020 - 2 8 2
SDS 300 001 00x - 4 8 0
Vermilyea and Tajima
Dunwell, Fiedler (8), Harang (8), Ring (8) and Manfred
W - Dunwell (4-3)
L - Vermilyea (5-5)
Sv - Ring (10)
HR - SDS: Stephens (6th-none on)
Att. - 580
Time - 2:41