 "Photo: Andrew Huse / Assistant Photo Editor")
After losing 22-3 on Monday against a powerful No. 12 Oregon State squad, the San Diego State baseball team has expressed a need for change. With many players struggling at different spots, head coach Tony Gwynn has altered the lineup by putting different faces in new places as SDSU has now lost six of its last eight games. "We're at that stage where we have to shake it up a little bit and get some guys in there that can swing the bat a little bit," Gwynn said on Saturday. "Because right now there are not a whole lot of guys that are doing it." The Aztecs have been outscored 65 to 35 in the last eight games, and the roster has been in limbo ever since the slide. The lineup shakeup began early in the season when the catching situation became a "who's who?" With sophomore Matt Parker out for the season with a foot injury, junior Bubba Ruddy, sophomore Erik Castro, and freshmen Brett Tanos and Kevin Silvett have all seen action behind the plate this season. But last Saturday, in its 7-2 loss against Loyola Marymount, SDSU saw the biggest change in its batting order. As senior outfielder Brandon Glover moved into the leadoff spot, several other players including junior Marco Martelli got their chance to show what they could do. While Martelli went 0-4 with three strikeouts, Glover shined reaching base three times and scoring one run. Since Glover's move to the leadoff spot, his bat has awakened. In the three games that Gwynn has led the game off with him, Glover has batted .363 with three walks and four runs scored. But while there have been many changes to the Aztecs' lineup, the solid core of senior shortstop Troy Hanzawa, junior third baseman Nick Romero, senior second baseman Garett Green and freshman outfielder Cory Vaughn, have been one consistent aspect for SDSU's season thus far. With each hitting nearly .300, including a whopping .417 average from Hanzawa, Gwynn hasn't had to worry about those four on his game day scorecard. As those four lead the way, a young season filled with so much change will welcome one more adjustment this weekend. The Aztecs (7-7) will move out of pre-season and start their Mountain West Conference schedule with a three-game series against BYU (7-7), starting at 6 p.m. today at Tony Gwynn Stadium. SDSU will look to contain a Cougars' offense that boasts seven players batting nearly .300 and a lineup that has scored 88 runs in just 14 games. With sophomore ace Stephen Strasburg likely to take the mound tonight, the Aztecs will hope for one more change - a mark in the win column.
AT A GLANCE When: 6 p.m., today
Where: Tony Gwynn Stadium
Why to watch: The Aztecs open up Mountain West Conference play against an offense that boasts seven .300 hitters.
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