Mesa, Arizona-

The SDSU Aztec Baseball team will be traveling back home to San Diego with a 1-2 record after a rollercoaster weekend in Arizona.

The Aztecs showed grit in their season-opening win against Seton Hall, erasing a 4-1 deficit with a six-run fourth inning, followed by four more runs in the fifth. Biola transfer Johnathan Smith led the charge for the offense with five RBIs, three of which came on a three-run home run in the midst of the six-run fourth inning.

SDSU also got key contributions from designated hitter CJ Moran and leadoff hitter Finley Bates, who both added two RBIs.

On the mound, the Aztecs featured four pitchers, but it was Isaac Araiza who was credited with the win in this game. Araiza pitched 2.2 frames while not giving up a run and striking out five.

In the end, the three insurance runs, highlighted by doubles from Smith and Zane Kelly, extended the Aztecs’ lead heading into the bottom of the ninth.

While Seton Hall scratched and clawed their way back into the game, Peyton Rodgers registered his first save of the season as SDSU went on to win 16-11.

Attempting to build momentum heading into game two of the season, head coach Shaun Cole turned to Xavier Cardenas to face the talented Grand Canyon program.

Cardenas got roughed up early in the game, as the Lopes jumped on the Aztecs 5-0 heading into the bottom of the third, yet SDSU got a run back on a Bates groundout that scored Smith.

Despite struggling with command, Cardenas showed flashes of dominance throughout his start. He registered five walks that powered the GCU offensive attack early but only allowed two hits in his three frames.

Looking for some longevity, Cole got a tremendous performance from his bullpen. The bullpen accounted for seven innings of work while only giving up one run. SDSU got contributions from Luka Pintar, Connor Shaw, and Chris Canavan. Pintar provided length out of the bullpen, throwing 4.1 innings while allowing one run. Shaw and Canavan combined for 1.2 innings of work, giving up no runs and a hit a piece.

Bolstered by an impressive performance by the bullpen, the bats found life late in the game. After five scoreless innings and their backs against the wall, SDSU totaled four runs in the ninth inning and saw their comeback bid fall just short.

A leadoff single by Daniel Arambula, coupled with two walks by Kelly and Smith, loaded the bases for the Aztecs. An Evan Sipe fielder’s choice netted a run, and a Drew Rutter two-run triple scored Kelly and Sipe to cut GCU’s lead to two.

Bates’ RBI groundout had them within a run of the Lopes, but the rally fizzled out, and SDSU had their first loss of the season, falling 6-5.

SDSU’s final game of the MLB Desert Invitational was one to forget. No. 24 Nebraska, fresh off the heels of their top 25 victory against No. 16 Vanderbilt, was a team riding a true high. The Cornhuskers’ bats tallied six runs in the first three innings and chased SDSU’s Sunday starter, Marko Sipila, out of the game early.

Once again, the Aztecs had to rely on their bullpen, and they got stellar performances from Chris Canada and another one from Canavan.

Offensively, the Aztecs couldn’t rally together any hits and left eight runners on base. The offensive attack was highlighted by Arambula, who went 2/4 on the day.

Nebraska starter Will Walsh was dominant from start to finish and threw seven innings of no-run baseball for the Cornhuskers.

Nebraska went on to win handily, 13-0 and ended the Aztecs’ time in Arizona. Through the highs and lows, Cole’s team is starting to work itself into shape. The Aztecs found reliable options in the bullpen, and the offensive flashed its potential but will look to build more consistency heading into their game against cross-town foe UCSD on February 18.

Liam Farrell

Liam has been covering the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team for the last two years, while being a Journalism student at San Diego State University. He is joining the staff to primarily cover the Aztec’s baseball team in addition to the men’s and women’s basketball teams.