San Diego State University's baseball team faced a tough start to their fall ball season, falling to Brigham Young University by a score of 8-4 on Saturday. Despite a promising start, the Aztecs struggled to find their rhythm, with their pitching staff and offense both facing challenges throughout the game.

Aztecs Seek Redemption After Tough Fall Ball Opener

Shaky Start for Aztecs as Pitching Woes Plague Opening Game

The Aztecs' pitching staff had a difficult time finding their groove in the opening game, with six different pitchers taking the mound. Only two of them managed to avoid giving up runs, as the Cougars' bats came alive and took advantage of the Aztecs' struggles. Senior starting pitcher Omar Serrano had a particularly challenging first inning, walking three batters and setting the tone for a long day on the mound.Despite the early setbacks, the Aztecs' defense stepped up, preventing any Cougars from crossing the plate in the first inning. In the bottom half of the inning, the Aztecs' offense found some success, as a leadoff walk by sophomore second baseman Finley Bates eventually led to a 1-0 lead thanks to a Jake Jackson RBI groundout.

Aztecs Lose Lead as Cougars Capitalize on Pitching Woes

The Aztecs' lead was short-lived, however, as Serrano hit two batters and allowed a single in the second inning, leading to his early exit after just 1.1 innings pitched. The Cougars loaded the bases for the second time in two innings, but the Aztecs' relief pitcher, Garvey Rumary, limited the damage to just one run.The Aztecs regained the lead in the bottom of the second inning, thanks to a RBI double play by senior catcher Evan Sipes. Unfortunately, this lead would not last, as the Cougars' offense continued to put pressure on the Aztecs' pitching staff.

Cougars Offense Overwhelms Aztecs, Extending Lead

The Cougars' offense continued to shine in the top of the third inning, as Cooper Vest's leadoff double set the stage for a three-run inning against Rumary. Freshman Aidan Russell provided a brief respite for the Aztecs, tossing a scoreless fourth inning, but the Cougars' offense struck again in the fifth, with Parker Goff blasting a solo home run to left field.The Aztecs' offense struggled to respond, with Jake Jackson's infield single being their only base runner in the bottom of the fifth. Freshman Peyton Rodgers made his collegiate debut in the sixth inning, but he struggled to find the strike zone, walking three batters, one of which with the bases loaded. Parker Goff continued to haunt the Aztecs, driving in another run with a single off the wall in right field.

Aztecs Rally Late, but Fall Short in Fall Ball Opener

The Cougars added one more run in the sixth inning, but the Aztecs finally found some life in their offense, loading the bases with three straight walks to start the inning. Sophomore infielder Zane Kelly earned an RBI on a hit-by-pitch, and Jake Jackson walked with the bases loaded, picking up his second RBI of the game. However, the Aztecs' rally fell short, and they ultimately fell to the Cougars by a score of 8-4.Despite the tough loss, the Aztecs have an opportunity to bounce back when they host Golden West College on November 16th. The team will undoubtedly be looking to learn from their mistakes in the fall ball opener and come out stronger in their next matchup.