No. 4 San Diego State (40-19) used a dramatic eight-run eighth inning to stun Utah in a 9-8 victory to advance to the 2009 Conoco MWC Baseball Championship title game Thursday night at Lupton Stadium. The Aztecs will play in their first tournament championship game since 2004. Utah (23-29) will face top-seed TCU in an elimination game at 3 p.m. CT Friday with the winner taking on SDSU at 7 p.m. CT.

"I don't know how it happened but I'll take it," Aztecs coach Tony Gwynn said. "This is huge."

SDSU's comeback came when the Aztecs were struggling for hits and run-scoring opportunities. Entering the eighth, the Aztecs trailed 8-1 and had been held to just five hits against Utah starter Andrew Wilding. The Aztecs suddenly came alive with a barrage Utah couldn't stop. SDSU exploded by sending 13 batters to the plate. Nine consecutive reached base on six hits and three walks as the Utes went through four pitchers.

"We walked too many guys and didn't throw quality strikes," Utah coach Bill Kinneberg said. "They got the momentum going and did a great job of scoring eight runs."

Aztecs center fielder Pat Colwell delivered the game-winning hit with an RBI double to the left-center cap to score the go-ahead run. The Aztecs finished with 11 hits and coach Tony Gwynn had a hard time explaining how the outburst suddenly took place.

"That last inning we were like we have to focus and have a good at-bat," Colwell said. "It's unbelievable and my heart was pounding. The guys have so much confidence right now and we are the team to beat right now."

SDSU all-conference closer Addison Reed earned his second consecutive save of the tournament throwing a hitless ninth inning Reed recorded his nation-leading 19th save in 19 chances this season. Reliever Kegan Sharp (3-1) earned the victory as the Aztecs reached the 40-win mark for the first time since 2002. SDSU third baseman Erik Castro finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and a two-run single in the eighth. Shortstop Ryan O'Sullivan also had a big night going 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Utah was led at the plate with two hits apiece by Corey Shimada and Michael Beltran.