SAN DIEGO \u2013 Playing at home for a single night in a nine-game stretch, San Diego State picked up a much-needed victory on Tuesday with an 8-4 triumph over UC Irvine at Tony Gwynn Stadium.<\/p>\n
With the decision, the Aztecs snap a seven-game slide against the Anteaters and even their record at 13-13 overall. Conversely, UCI drops its ninth straight, falling to 9-15 on the year.<\/p>\n
Zane Kelly<\/a> was the hitting star for SDSU, tying his career-high with four RBIs. The junior right fielder belted a two-run homer in the second inning to put the Aztecs in front for good at 4-2 before ripping a key two-run double in the sixth that extended the Scarlet and Black\u2019s lead to 7-2.<\/p>\n Not to be outdone, Zach Justice<\/a> also went deep with a two-run blast in the first to counter the Anteaters\u2019 solo shot by Tommy Farmer IV and Zach Fjelstad\u2019s RBI single in the top of the frame.<\/p>\n The score remained unchanged until the sixth when the Aztecs plated four runs on three hits and one error. Max Farrell<\/a> roped a one-out single and took second on a wild pitch before advancing to third on a base hit through the left side by Anthony Marnell IV<\/a>.\u00a0 Moments later, Dawson Santana<\/a> reached on a throwing error during a squeeze bunt attempt, as Farrell darted home.<\/p>\n UCI\u2019s second reliever of the night, Ryder Brooks, took the mound at this juncture and promptly bounced a pitch in front of the plate, allowing Santana to move into scoring position. Shortly thereafter, Kelly smacked a 2-0 offering from Brooks down the right-field line, knocking in Marnell and Santana.<\/p>\n Ultimately, Kelly crossed the plate himself after a steal of third and a passed ball, giving the Scarlet and Black an insurmountable 8-2 advantage.<\/p>\n The Anteaters closed out the scoring on Fjelstad\u2019s solo homer in the seventh and Kai Smith\u2019s RBI double in the ninth.<\/p>\n SDSU employed three pitchers for the game, with each tossing three innings.<\/p>\n Bryce McKnight<\/a> (2-0) picked up his second victory of the season after a scoreless stint of middle relief when he scattered three hits and one walk with one strikeout, while Connor Abadie<\/a> earned the save despite allowing two late runs.<\/p>\n After surrendering Smith\u2019s double, Abadie issued a two-out walk to Zach Crandall but prevented further damage by striking out Farmer to end the contest, initiating the Aztecs\u2019 festive postgame light show.<\/p>\n