Four-Run Ninth Catapults USIU Past the Aztecs

U.S. International scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning Tuesday to pull out a 7-6 victory over San Diego State, the Gulls’ second upset in as many days.

Even more frustrating for SDSU, which has lost four of six and fell to 35-16, was that the winning run came after a two-out fielding error, and the Aztecs led 6-2 after 7 1/2 innings.

USIU (15-37) scored once in the eighth, setting up the unlikely ending.

Larry Cantarella led off the ninth with a walk, and Greg Shepard and Travis Hopper singled to load the bases. Mike Murphy singled to drive in Cantarella, and Darrin Forster (three RBIs) bounced into a fielder’s choice to drive in Shepard. David Yound then hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Hopper.

SDSU couldn’t handle Sugiyama Takaaki’s hard grounder, setting up James Gibson’s game-winning single up the middle.

Chris Townsend, a Crawford High graduate, was the winner in relief. He is 2-1.

The Golden State Athletic Conference announced its All-Conference team Tuesday, with two representatives from Point Loma Nazarene College: outfielder Rich Miller and designated hitter Mark Ratekin.

VOLLEYBALL

The U.S. men’s team will scrimmage at Torrey Pines High School beginning Thursday at 5 p.m. The game between split squads is free and open to the public.

The scrimmage will act as a tune-up for the opening of the World League May 17, on which day the U.S. will battle Japan at the Bren Events Center in Irvine. The next night, the U.S. team and Japan will play at the Sports Arena. Ticket prices range from $6 to $12.

MEN’S TENNIS

Jose Luis Noriega, a junior from the University of San Diego, has received the the Region VIII Head Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sportsmanship award. Noriega, ranked eighth in the nation in singles, is now eligible for the national award.