Junior right-hander Carson Johnson took his first steps onto the mound as an Aztec on Sunday afternoon, acting as the Scarlet and Black’s starting pitcher. His masterclass performance set the Aztecs up for their strongest start of the season on the team’s way to a debut series sweep over Long Island University.
The seven-inning start was the strongest of the Aztecs’ opening weekend, and Johnson was named Mountain West Pitcher of the Week. It was also the longest San Diego held the Sharks scoreless over the series.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better day, couldn’t have asked for a better team, couldn’t have asked for a better coach,” Johnson said.
After redshirting his freshman year at University of Arizona, Johnson returned in his sophomore year to pitch in 12 games as a reliever. Seven strikeouts and two wins later, Johnson made the move to the West to take on the starting role.
Johnson took kindly to the new uniform, and in just one game, he has put his previous stats to shame. In seven innings pitched, he gave up just two hits and one earned run. And with 25 batters faced, Johnson struck out a career-high 11 of them.
“I’m naturally an emotional guy,” Johnson said. “I try to carry myself with class all the time, but when you’re in between the lines, the gas is always being pushed.”
The picture of stoicism on the mound, LIU surely wouldn’t have known there was any emotion at all coming from Johnson. Even after giving up his first hit of the game in the top of the 7th, Johnson pulled a fly-out from the Sharks’ Jake Kelleher and struck out Joe Durso.
“I’ve watched [Johnson] now for two and a half years, and he’s come a long way,” said head coach Kevin Vance. “The Carson I first met may have let it speed on him, and he didn’t do that at all today, so [I’m] super proud of him.”
Still, Johnson handed out the rest of the team’s stripes following the optimistic win. Home runs from Dawson Santana, Gage Adams and Tyce Peterson propelled the Aztecs to five runs before Johnson left the mound. Solid defensive performances from Santana and support from Adams behind the plate made Johnson’s job easier.
“Knowing that my guys have my back, it just gives me more fire to go out there and succeed,” Johnson said. “Because at the end of the day, I want to do nothing but do good by my brothers, so I couldn’t be more thankful.”
Running straight from celebratory fist-pumps and high-fives with the team to photos with the family and friends that came to support his first game at the Mesa, Johnson was the picture of excitement and gratitude.
“Every win is a team effort,” Johnson said. “So I give all the credit to my team for being there for me, and trusting me on the mound.”
