Jackson's Walk-Off Double Propels Aztecs Past Seattle in 10 Innings, 5-4

SAN DIEGO – Jake Jackson doubled home Finley Bates with the game-winning run in the bottom of the 10 inning Thursday, lifting San Diego State to a 5-4 victory over Seattle U in its 2025 home opener at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

In their first game of the 10th annual Tony Gwynn Legacy, the Aztecs (3-2) overcame 10 walks and 14 stranded base runners to capture their second straight, while the Redhawks (0-0) remain winless on the young season.

SDSU collected 17 hits, its second-highest total of the year, including four by Zane Kelly, while Nevan Noonan and Drew Rutter finished with three apiece.

Nursing a slim 2-1 lead, the Aztecs scored a seemingly important insurance run in the bottom of the seventh when Daniel Arambula drew a one-out walk and promptly scored on Kelly’s triple to the gap in right field.

After a pitching a scoreless eighth upon his call from the bullpen, reliever Chris Canavan ran into trouble in the ninth, loading the bases against the first three batters in the inning.

Jake Wagoner led off with a single through the right side, while Kenny Ishikawa drew a walk and Jared Stevenson was hit by a pitch.

Canavan seemed poised to weather the storm after posting two quick strikeouts of Michael Tsoukalas and pinch hitter Jackson Lind. However, the SDSU left-hander hit Tyler Peterson with another pitch, forcing in Wagoner.

Moments later, Reese Harmon looped an 0-1 pitch over the outstretched arms of Bates at short, as Ishikawa crossed the plate. However, Seattle was temporarily denied the go-ahead run after Jackson threw a perfect strike to Evan Sipe and nail a sliding Stevenson at the plate.

After Arambula was stranded following a two-out single, the Redhawks’ Sam Kane led off the 10th with a home run to left center, putting the visitors on top, 4-3. Canavan quickly rediscovered his composure by retiring the next three hitters, including Wagoner, who lifted a fly ball down the right-field line, only to have Kelly make a highlight-worthy catch in foul territory.

The Aztecs found themselves on the precipice of defeat after a strikeout and a grounder to short. However, the Scarlet and Black flashed its resiliency after Rutter singled through the left side and Bates’ tapped an infield hit behind the bag at second, where Rutter beat the potential game-ending force play.

Noonan stepped to the plate and looped a single to shallow left, plating Rutter, with Bates moving to second. Jackson then smacked a towering double to right-center on an 0-1 offering from Ishikawa to drive in Bates, as the SDSU dugout erupted in jubilation.

Despite allowing three runs on five hits and two walks, Canavan (1-0) recorded his first career victory, matching his collegiate best with five strikeouts in the process.

On the flip side, Ishikawa (0-1) was saddled with the loss after taking the mound from the left field position to start the eighth. The Seattle reliever yielded two runs on six hits without a walk in 2 2/3 innings.

Offensively, Harmon led the Redhawks with three hits in the loss.

Despite issuing six walks in 2 1/3 innings, SDSU freshman Alito McBean gave up just one run in his first collegiate start on an RBI single by Vicente Feliciano in the first.

The Aztecs tied the game in the second on Jonathan Smith’s sacrifice fly, which plated Arambula, who led off the frame with a single.

SDSU then took the lead with an unearned run after capitalizing on two Seattle fielding errors, including one on a failed pickoff attempt.

The Tony Gwynn Legacy continues for the Aztecs on Friday when they play host to Utah, starting at 6 p.m. PT. The contest will air live on the Mountain West Network.