By Michael KlitzingAssistant Sports Editor
YUMA, Ariz — While it is still early in the San Diego Statebaseball season, this much we know: Starting pitching is not an areain which the team is lacking.
The latest evidence of the abundance of Aztec arms came yesterdayas Joe Carque and Rob Harrand (2-0) combined to shut down Nevada inSDSU’s 6-1 rubber-match victory at Desert Sun Stadium.
Carque, who had been previously utilized as the team’s Tuesdaystarter, drew the Sunday assignment and pitched six strong innings,giving up just one run on five hits and fanning four. But the runsupport for the junior was not there early, resulting in his thirdno-decision in four starts.
“I didn’t feel that good coming in,” Carque said. “I didn’t havewhat I wanted with the changeup and the curveball. But I battled andI got it done.”
Rob Harrand, usually a weekend starter, picked up the win inrelief. The sophomore from Canada finished out the game, striking outfive in just three innings.
It was a case-in-point of the staff’s depth.
“It’s got to be tough for the coaches to make a decision on who tostart,” Carque said. “We’ve got five legit starters, and I’m justglad I could be in the three spot this weekend. I’d like to be theSunday starter.
“If I could keep it up, that would be great.”
But Nevada starter Craig Norris was equally impressive. He heldthe Aztecs to one run on five hits before he was lifted in the sixth.His replacement, James Holcomb (0-1), did not fare quite as well.
SDSU (10-5) teed off on the Wolf Pack (5-7) bullpen to the tune offive runs in the seventh inning.
In the frame, the Aztecs quickly loaded the bases, thanks in partto a throwing error by Nevada third baseman Mike Gillies — his thirdmiscue of the contest. With one out, Carlo Cota cashed in with asingle to center, scoring Josh Allen and Taber Lee.
“I was struggling going into that at bat,” Cota said. “But he camein with a fastball and I just reacted. I got a good part of thebarrel on it and got it in for the hit and the rally started.”
The hit also chased Holcomb. Justin Sherman entered and wastreated just as rudely. Right fielder Jake McLintock furthered thedamage with an RBI-double to right center.
Chad Corona was promptly intentionally walked to load the bases,but Nevada’s strategy backfired. Josh Hill laced Sherman’s fourthpitch of the at-bat into center field to score two and extend SDSU’slead to 6-1.
“When one guy goes, everything goes,” McLintock said. “Everythingwent right for an inning. We usually have one or two of those pergame. You just have to wait for that inning.”
But with Carque and Harrand on the hill, one rally would be allthe Aztecs would require.
