UCSD dug itself a hole that was too deep to overcome in yesterday's 13-7 loss to Chico State, host of the NCAA Division II West Region tournament.

The No. 11-ranked Tritons (42-17) must beat Nebraska-Kearney today to stay alive in the double-elimination tournament.

UCSD led 2-1 through four innings before No. 6 Chico State (41-15) scored six runs in the fifth inning to take a 7-2 lead and never looked back. Chico State tacked on six more runs in the seventh and eighth, more than enough to withstand UCSD's three-run rally in the ninth.

Nick Burke went 4-for-4 to lead the Tritons.

SDSU loses to Fullerton

San Diego State's pitching struggled to stop Cal State Fullerton, leading to a 10-3 road loss for the Aztecs (30-25).

The No. 8-ranked Titans (34-17) scored four runs off starter Nate Solow and added two off reliever J.R. Murphy for a 6-0 lead through five innings.

The Aztecs rallied for three runs in the sixth, but Fullerton erased any chances of an SDSU comeback with four runs off reliever Shane Kaufman.

The teams conclude the three-game series today at 1 p.m.

– KIRK KENNEY