Hawaii Knocks SDSU From WAC Playoffs

San Diego State University blew a six-run lead late Friday night in Honolulu and lost to Hawaii, 10-9, in a Western Athletic Conference second-round playoff game.

The loss eliminated the Aztecs from the tournament, dropped their record to 37-25 and all but ended their chances of making the field for the 48-team NCAA playoffs. Last season, a 47-18-1 record and second-place finish in the WAC wasn’t good enough for the NCAA selection committee.

Jon Viela bounced a two-run single over first base and into right field in the top of the ninth to break an 8-8 tie for Hawaii.

SDSU--which had earlier eliminated Wyoming, 8-3--built a 7-1 lead after two innings. Anthony Johnson and Harry Henderson each had RBI doubles during SDSU’s six-run second.

But Hawaii got a run back in the sixth, then tied it, 7-7, with a five-run seventh. Mark McWherter had a two-run single, and three other Rainbows had RBI singles.

The Aztecs regained the lead, 8-7, in the seventh on a single by Jeff Barry, a stolen base and Billy Miller’s run-scoring single.

In the top of the ninth, Todd Takayoshi started a two-out rally with a single and moved to third on a single by John Matias. SDSU then walked Hawaii’s leading hitter, McWherter, intentionally. Larry Burigsay walked on a three-and-one pitch to force Takayoshi home with the tying run.

Viela followed with his game-winning hit on a three-and-two pitch. SDSU managed one run in the bottom of the inning but couldn’t complete the comeback.

Rocky Ynclan pitched the final eight innings for Hawaii for his second victory in two days over the Aztecs.

Hawaii took a 38-25 record into the championship game against the 47-16 BYU.

Cal State Stanislaus won both games of a doubleheader Saturday to eliminate UC San Diego from the NCAA Division III West Regional playoffs. Cal State Stanislaus won the first game, 4-0, and then overcame seven errors to win the second, 13-7, to sweep the best-of-five series.

Rick Rupkey (10-5) took the loss in the first game for UCSD.

Craig Heuter hit a grand slam during Cal State Stanislaus’ seven-run eighth inning in the second game, and Craig Baize had three doubles. Baize was five for nine on the day.

Mike Morgan (4-8) took the loss for UCSD in the second game.

TRACK AND FIELD

San Diego State’s Jim Cody set a stadium record of 7-3 1/4 in the high jump as SDSU finished fourth in the WAC track and field championships at New Mexico.

The Aztecs’ 102 points trailed meet winner Brigham Young (174), Texas El Paso (154) and New Mexico (127).

Floyd Barco of SDSU (46.80) finished first in the 400 meters, and SDSU’s 4 x 400 relay team was first in 3:10.63.