San Diego State defeated UNLV 8-0 Wednesday night to advance to the second round of the Mountain West Conference baseball tournament in Mesa, Ariz.
The fifth-seeded Aztecs (20-37) will face top-seeded Nevada (33-21) at 1:05 p.m. Thursday in the opening round of double-elimination play. Fourth-seeded UNLV finishes the season 31-23.
Marko Sipila started for the Aztecs and allowed four hits and three walks with six strikeouts over seven scoreless innings. Peyton Rodgers gave up two hits over the final two innings to complete the shutout.
Shortstop Nevan Noonan (Francis Parker) was 2-for-4 with a sacrifice fly and three RBIs. Second baseman Finley Bates was 2-for-5 with a double and a stolen base and scored in the top of the first and third innings on Noonan singles to give the Aztecs a 2-0 lead.
Freshman designated hitter Xavier Farnum (Christian) went 3-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base, a RBI and a run. Right fielder Zane Kelly was 3-for-5 with a two-run double. Catcher Ethan Sipe (San Marcos High) was 1-for-3 with a RBI.
The Aztecs, who finished with 14 hits, scored four runs in the top of the ninth.
