San Diego State moved within a game of the Mountain West Championship on Sunday afternoon with a 9-2 victory over Washington State that forced a winner-take-all game for the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division I Tournament.
The teams stayed on the field at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., for the decisive game, with first pitched following a brief break after the first game. Fans can watch live on the Mountain West Network.
The Aztecs staked starting pitcher Drew Talavs to a 3-0 lead through three innings, made it 7-0 with a four-run seventh and 9-1 in the eighth on DH Anthony Marnell’s two-run homer.
Shortstop Jabin Trosky sparked the team with three RBIs on an infield out, sacrifice fly and bases-loaded walk. Center fielder Jake Jackson was 3-for-3 with two runs scored.
Talavs allowed three hits with five strikeouts over 5 2/3 shutout innings before the Aztecs called on closer Aidan Russell to keep the Cougars in check. Russell allowed single runs in the eighth and ninth but was otherwise in control, giving up three hits with four strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings.
On Saturday afternoon, Washington State defeated SDSU 14-9, forcing the Aztecs to go through the loser’s bracket to get to the championship. SDSU defeated Air Force 11-8 on Saturday night, fighting back from an 8-1 deficit.
SDSU is bidding for the 15th NCAA Tournament berth in program history, and its first since the 2018 season. The 64 teams that making the tournament will be split into 16 four-team regionals. The bracket will be announced Monday at 9 a.m. PT on ESPN2.