Aztec Baseball to Host LIU in Season-Opening Series

SAN DIEGO –  San Diego State opens its 87th season of baseball competition this weekend when it welcomes LIU for a three-game non-conference series, Feb. 13-15, at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

Friday's opener is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. PT, while Saturday's clash is slated to get underway at 5 p.m., followed by Sunday's finale at 1 p.m.

Along with live stats, which will be available for the entire weekend, Friday's and Sunday's games will air live on the Mountain West Network, with links to both platforms available on GoAztecs.com. Fans can also catch the action on their TVs or smartphones by downloading the MW app.

Those fans presenting their ticket to the SDSU-Nevada men's basketball game at the gate will receive free admission to the Aztecs-Sharks baseball contest on Saturday.

SETTING THE SCENE
San Diego State baseball enters a new era this season, as head coach Kevin Vance takes over the reins of the Aztec program after serving the last two years as pitching coach at the University of Arizona, a role he will also continue in 2026.

Along with 12 returning letterwinners, SDSU has added 19 college transfers for the 2026 campaign, including 13 players who competed for Power 5 baseball programs a year ago.

Among those newcomers, the Aztecs inked five student-athletes who previously played at perennial powerhouse Oregon State, joining two from Arizona State and two from Arizona.

San Diego State sports a record of 54-31-1 in season openers dating back to 1936 (SDSU did not field a team from 1943-45). Since attaining Division I status in 1969, the Aztecs are 34-22 in their annual debuts.

Last year, SDSU snapped a three-game losing streak in season openers with a 16-11 triumph over Seton Hall at the MLB Desert Invitational in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Prior to that dry spell, the Aztecs won five straight season openers vs. San Diego (2021), Virginia Tech (2020), San Francisco (2019), UC Santa Barbara (2018) and Pacific (2017).

When opening the season at home, SDSU sports a record of 17-11 in the Division 1 era, a 14-8  mark when beginning the year on the road and 3-3 ledger on a neutral diamond.

SERIES RECORD VS. LIU
The Aztecs will battle the Sharks for the first time in program history when the two squads take the field at Tony Gwynn Stadium this weekend. SDSU has faced just one other school among current baseball members in the Northeast Conference after sweeping a four-game home series from Wagner in 2010.

PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
(Subject to change)

Friday, Feb. 13, SDSU: Rohan Lettow, RHP (0-0) vs. LIU: Nicholas Finarelli, RHP (0-0)

Saturday, Feb. 14, SDSU: Drew Talavs, RHP (0-0) vs. LIU: Justin DeCastro, RHP (0-0)

Sunday, Feb. 15, SDSU: Carson Johnson, RHP (4-6) vs. LIU: James Lordi, LHP (0-0)

LIU AT A GLANCE
The Sharks were picked to finish second in the Northeast Conference in 2026 after receiving five first-place votes in the league's preseason coaches poll.

LIU captured the NEC regular-season championship last year after compiling a 35-23 overall record and a 24-6 mark in conference play.

However, the Sharks were stymied in their quest for a postseason berth after falling to Central Connecticut by a 6-5 count in the NEC tournament finals.

LIU returns two all-conference selections from a year ago in shortstop Ryan Rivera and pitcher Justin DeCastro.

A 2022 graduate of San Marcos High School in San Diego County, Rivera slashed .357/.419/.489 last season with three homers, 51 RBIs and 46 runs scored during his junior campaign to earn first-team all-NEC honors.

Rivera finished among the league leaders in several categories last season, ranking second in hits (79), third in RBIs (51) and fourth in batting average (.357) while tying for ninth in stolen bases (16) and 10th in runs scored (46).

Meanwhile, DeCastro started 15 games on the mound in 2025, posting an 8-5 record with a 4.32  ERA and 60 strikeouts in 93.2 innings to garner second-team all-conference accolades.

DeCastro also found himself among the NEC leaders last year, occupying the second spot in innings pitched (93.2) while tying for fourth in victories (8) and ranking fifth in ERA (4.32). In addition, he was slotted 11th in strikeouts (60) and 13th in opposing batting average (.272).

Elsewhere, the Sharks welcome back fellow hurler Nicholas Finarelli, who received all-tournament honors at the NEC Championships in 2025.

For the season, Finarelli compiled a 9-5 record with a 4.66 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 87.0 innings across 15 starts. He ranked third in the league in victories (9) and tied for fifth in strikeouts (77) while occupying the seventh spot in ERA (4.66).

Head coach Dan Pirillo enters his 10th season at the helm of the LIU program, compiling a 222-214 record at his alma mater.

MAX FARRELL TABBED MW PRESEASON FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR BY PERFECT GAME
San Diego State infielder-outfielder Max Farrell was named Mountain West Preseason Freshman of the Year by Perfect Game in its conference preview earlier this month.

Farrell enjoyed a stellar prep career at San Marcos High School, where he hit .340 with 17 homers, 74 RBIs and 76 runs scored across 98 games in four seasons, according to MaxPreps. He also contributed three triples and 23 doubles while stealing 24 bases.

As a senior, Farrell earned first-team all-CIF San Diego Section honors and was named to the West squad for the San Diego Padres High School All-Star Night at Petco Park.

Farrell slashed .344/.462/.750 that season with nine homers, 33 RBIs and 28 runs scored. He led the team in numerous categories, including slugging percentage (.750), on-base percentage (.462), hits (33), runs (28), home runs (9) and stolen bases (15), helping the Knights to Coastal Conference regular-season crown.

Farrell also garnered second-team all-CIF San Diego Section accolades as a junior after posting a slash line of .363/.424/.589 with seven homers, 28 RBIs and 33 runs scored.

CAPTAIN, OH CAPTAIN
Seeking a blend of veterans and newcomers, pitcher Issac Araiza and outfielder Jake Jackson have been named co-captains for the 2026 campaign, along with a pair of transfers in infielders Tyce Peterson and Jabin Trosky.

UP NEXT
Following this weekend's series, San Diego State makes the short drive up the freeway to face UC Irvine on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at Anteater Ballpark. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. PT, and the contest will air live on ESPN+.