SAN DIEGO—San Diego dropped the series finale to St. John's, 7-5, on Monday evening at Fowler Park but took the series 2-1.
The Toreros (8-4) held a 4-3 lead heading into the fifth inning before the Red Storm (2-6) capitalized, with two outs, on a USD error that kept the inning going. SJU scored four runs on four hits to secure the lead and ultimately the win.
Cody Jefferis paced the Toreros offensively, batting .364 (3-for-5) with one run and two RBIs. Three other Toreros drove in runs, including
Adam Hussain,
Preston Miller and
Adam Kerner and USD collected seven hits in the contest.
San Diego scored runs in the first and second innings and two in the third to take a 4-2 lead. The Red Storm answered with a run in the fourth, before their breakout fifth inning.
With two outs, SJU's Carson Bartels reached after a dropped ball at first base and the next batter hit a game-tying triple. The Red Storm followed with three hits to drive in three more runs and take a 7-4 lead.
The Toreros scored again in the sixth after Jefferis singled up the middle to drive in
Tora Otsuka from second base but were unable to rally late for the victory.
Louie Crow got the start for San Diego, pitching 2.0 innings, giving up two runs on two hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
Grady Miller was credited with the loss, after four runs (one earned) on five hits with two strikeouts.
USD will head on the road for the remainder of the week, taking on UC Riverside on Tuesday at 1 p.m. before traveling to Seattle, Wash. for the Seattle Baseball Showcase Friday through Sunday.
