The Matadors battled but couldn’t complete a comeback against San Diego State (SDSU) on Tuesday night, with a final score of 4-3. The loss brought their overall record to 22-17 and conference record to 11-10.

The first inning was scoreless. With a Matador pitch change at the top of the second, SDSU opened the inning with a two-run home run, bringing the score to 2-0.

The Matadors answered back at the bottom of the second with an RBI by catcher Xavier Rios. Rios spoke about putting up a quality at-bat to bring the score within one.

“We had runners in scoring position and the big thing, team-wise, is putting up a quality AB,” Rios said. “Something I definitely had to work on throughout the season, kind of being aggressive to the zone and got a pitch in the zone, and I just put a bat to it and then found a hole.”

Matadors defense shut down SDSU’s offense, preventing them from scoring for three consecutive innings, avoiding stolen bases and converting every hit into an out.

The bottom of the fifth began with a double by outfielder Vaughn Coleman, which was followed by an RBI from third baseman Kyle Panganiban.

The score was tied 2-2 entering the sixth inning until SDSU hit a home run, giving themselves a 3-2 lead.

A double by shortstop Trent Abel at the bottom of the sixth gave hope to the Matadors, but CSUN ultimately couldn’t score.

The top of the seventh began with two Matador pitching changes. The defense helped clear the seventh quickly, but the Matadors went scoreless for two consecutive innings.

In the eighth inning, a Matador pitching change occurred, and SDSU scored with an RBI, extending their lead 4-2. Abel brought the energy back up with an RBI in the bottom of the inning, closing the gap between their opponent and bringing the Matadors within one once again.

Abel explained how he focused during the tough innings.

“Just trying to keep things simple, put a good swing on it, not trying to do too much,” Abel said.

The game ended swiftly after as the Matadors couldn’t capitalize on a base runner in the bottom of the ninth. Panganiban, who helped tie the game up earlier, said he wants the team to improve before the next game.

“I think we need to do a better job with scoring guys on second and third with less than two [outs],” he said. “That’s gonna be the biggest game changer when it comes to, you know, playoffs and just later on in the season.”

The Matadors go on the road for Big West play this weekend, taking on Cal Poly on Friday, April 24, at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.