SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco State baseball team battled in the series finale against No. 25 Azusa Pacific but fell 11-4 as the Cougars prevailed with an offensive explosion in the ninth inning that untied a 4-4 score.

The Gators rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. After the Cougars (4-0) scored twice in the top half of the inning, the Gators (0-4) responded. David Mansell sent a ball through the left side, then stole second. He scored easily on Jack Harris' double off the left field wall. Harris came around to tie it on Chris Smutny's single through the left side.

"I thought we had some quality starts and individual performances this weekend," said Head Coach Tony Schifano. "A weekend like this is tough to swallow but you get a feel for your team and which guys in the bullpen can work in certain situations. We'll learn from it and grow from it."

The Cougars scored off of four different SF State relievers in the ninth inning for a seven-run showing.

SF State grabbed the game's first lead in the third inning on Jordan Abernathy's RBI groundout. The Cougars tied the game in the fifth inning, then took the lead in the sixth inning thanks to an unearned run. The Gators responded in the sixth inning when Mansell drove home Connor Fidone with a pinch-hit single.

Righty Jeff Piver took a no-decision in his first start for the Gators. The junior went five and two thirds innings. He gave up two runs, one earned, and struck out three, including two looking. Layne Henderson picked up the win for the Cougars with an inning and a third of relief work.

Up Next
SF State will look to bounce back from a tough opening series versus Academy of Art on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. Live stats will be provided and in-game updates will also be available on Twitter at @sfstatebaseball.