Aztecs Defeat BYU in 11 to Claim WAC Title and NCAA Berth

Freshman Derek Vinyard’s one-out fielder’s choice scored Anthony Johnson with the winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning Saturday as San Diego State defeated Brigham Young, 5-4, for the Western Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament championship.

The victory, the Aztecs’ 13th in a row, gave them their first title since 1986 and a place in the NCAA regional playoffs. They will find out Monday where they will play, but the likely sites are either Palo Alto or Tempe, Ariz.

Johnson beat out a one-out infield single and took second on third baseman Ralph Obray’s throwing error. Darin McGhee was intentionally walked, and Steve Boucher also worked a walk from BYU pitcher Lance Clark to load the bases.

Vinyard, who came on in the eighth as a center field replacement for Bill Dunckle, battled Clark through nine pitches to a 3-2 count before tapping a slow roller to second off Clark’s glove.

Second baseman Matt Norman’s throw was late and wide as Johnson scored to end the first WAC championship game decided in extra innings.

Andy Petersen went the distance, throwing 136 pitches and scattering eight hits. He was named the tournament’s outstanding player.

The Aztecs (46-20) faced their biggest deficit of the tournament, 3-1, after a three-run BYU fourth.

BYU’s Blaine Milne drew a one-out walk, moved up on singles by Burt Call and Brian Simpson and scored when right fielder Jeff Barry bobbled Simpson’s hit. A two-out stolen base set up Jeff Howes’ two-run single.

The Aztecs finally got to BYU freshman starter Mike Nielsen in the eighth for three runs and the lead, 4-3.

But the Cougars (42-23-1) came right back to tie in the top of the ninth on Simpson’s leadoff double, a sacrifice and Howes’ infield out.