SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — Zane Kelly’s three-run double capped a decisive four-run sixth inning for San Diego State, which rallied from an early four-run deficit to defeat UC Irvine 8-4 in a nonconference baseball game Tuesday at USD Sports Center.

The Aztecs improved to 13-13, reaching .500 for the first time since mid-February. The Anteaters fell to 9-15, dropping their fourth consecutive game.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the bottom of the sixth inning with the score tied 4-4. San Diego State’s Max Farrell led off with a single, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored the go-ahead run when UC Irvine pitcher Tim Grack committed a throwing error on Dawson Santana’s sacrifice bunt attempt. The error allowed Anthony Marnell IV to reach third base.

After a pitching change brought in Ryder Brooks for UC Irvine, Kelly delivered the game’s biggest hit. The Aztecs’ right fielder laced a two-run double to score Santana and Marnell. Kelly then stole third base and scored on a passed ball, extending the lead to 8-4 and providing the final margin.

The game began in stark contrast, as UC Irvine’s Tommy Farmer IV launched a solo home run to left field on the game’s first pitch. The Anteaters batted around in the opening frame, adding three more runs on a Zach Fjelstad RBI single to take a commanding 4-0 lead before San Diego State recorded an out.

San Diego State starter Jake Frohn settled after the rocky first, and the Aztecs’ offense immediately responded. Zach Justice hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the first, and Kelly tied the game in the second inning with a two-run home run of his own to right-center field, making it 4-4.

From there, the game became a battle of bullpens. UC Irvine’s Danny Suarez provided 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief after replacing starter Tyler Foster in the third. San Diego State’s Bryce McKnight was even more effective, earning the win with three shutout innings in which he allowed just two hits after taking over for Frohn in the fourth.

Connor Abadie closed the game for the Aztecs with three innings of relief for the save. He allowed one run on Fjelstad’s solo homer in the seventh but stranded two runners in that inning and worked around a run-scoring double by pinch-hitter Kai Smith in the ninth to secure the victory.

UC Irvine outhit San Diego State 12-9 but left 11 runners on base. The Anteaters’ offense, which scored all four of its runs in the first inning, went 3 for 15 with runners in scoring position.

The result avenged a 5-2 home loss for San Diego State at UC Irvine on Feb. 18. The Anteaters continue their road trip with a three-game series at Long Beach State starting Friday. The Aztecs head to Grand Canyon for a three-game set beginning the same day.