SAN DIEGO — One day after scoring 20 runs against San Diego State, the University of Utah baseball team tallied just three Saturday afternoon. The Utes dropped a 9-3 decision to the Aztecs at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
SDSU (12-27, 5-4 MWC) scored twice in the first inning off Utah starter Lucas Trinnaman. Utah (18-15, 3-3 MWC) cut the lead in half in the top of the fourth when Tyler Kmetko led off the inning with a home run to left field.
But the Aztecs came right back with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Sam Pepper doubled home a run, followed by a two-run single off the bat of Quintin Berry, putting San Diego State up 5-1. The Aztecs went on top 6-1 in the sixth on a sacrifice fly. SDSU added two more in the seventh to take an 8-1 advantage.
The Utes scored twice in the top of the eighth, getting them within five runs at 8-3. Utah tallied an unearned run and got an RBI double from center fielder John Welsh. But the Aztecs added another run in the bottom of the inning to account for the final score.
Utah mustered just six hits in the contest. No Ute had more than one hit. Kmetko paced the offense with two RBIs. Trinnaman (1-2) suffered the loss, allowing five runs in 4 1/3 innings. Bruce Billings (2-3) worked seven innings and allowed three runs — one earned — to take the victory. Paul Smyth was 3 for 4 with three RBIs to lead SDSU at the plate.
Utah is back in action again Tuesday, hosting Southern Utah at Ute Field. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.