Mustangs Secure Season-Opening Victory Over San Diego 3-1

Dominant Defense, Timely Hitting Propel SMU to Opening Day Success

The SMU Mustangs opened their 2023 campaign with a resounding 3-1 victory over the San Diego Toreros on Friday night at Mustang Park. A dominant pitching performance, coupled with timely hitting, propelled the Mustangs to their first win of the season.

Strong Start for Mustang Pitching

SMU's pitching staff set the tone for the game, holding the Toreros to just three hits through the first six innings. Starter Aidan Miller tossed 4.1 shutout innings, striking out seven batters while allowing only two baserunners. Reliever Ryan Hendrix entered in the fifth inning and continued the strong pitching, allowing only one run over 2.2 innings.

Timely Hitting Provides Runs

While the Mustang pitching staff kept San Diego off the scoreboard, the SMU offense provided timely hits to score runs. Senior outfielder Luke Acosta drove in the game's first run with a single in the second inning, and sophomore infielder Danny Huff followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0. The Mustangs added another run in the sixth inning on an RBI double from junior designated hitter Cole Barr.

Missed Opportunities for San Diego

Despite the strong pitching from SMU, San Diego had multiple chances to break through. The Toreros left 10 runners on base, including six in scoring position. They threatened in the seventh inning with runners on second and third with no outs but failed to capitalize, striking out three consecutive batters.

Conclusion

With their season-opening victory, the SMU Mustangs have set a positive tone for the 2023 campaign. The dominant pitching performance and timely hitting will serve as building blocks as they navigate their tough conference schedule. The Mustangs will look to continue their winning ways when they face the Cal Poly Mustangs on Saturday afternoon.