Pitching was the unknown for San Diego State when the season started.
Hitting was the unknown – where did it go? – when the season ended with yesterday's 1-0 loss to Utah in the Mountain West Conference Tournament.
Consider this: The Aztecs scored 43 runs in the season's first three games against USD. They scored three runs in three tournament games this week at TCU's Lupton Stadium.
It's nothing new for SDSU (31-28). Much of the season was marked by offensive struggles.
“Same old story,” SDSU coach Tony Gwynn said. “We get 'em on and we can't get 'em in.”
The problem was magnified this week when the pitchers stepped up and compiled a 1.67 ERA. Problem is, that's not enough when the offense produces just one run. Or none.
SDSU managed four hits off Utah's John James, who came into the game with a 3-7 record and 5.47 ERA. SDSU's Stephen Strasburg (8-3) allowed five hits and struck out five in seven innings. The Utes used a hit batter and two singles to score in the third inning. And that was that.
Utah (26-27) eliminated UNLV (22-37) with a 7-4 win yesterday. New Mexico (34-23) advanced to the title game with a 3-2 win last night over tournament host TCU (40-17).
– KIRK KENNEY
