Senior Day is often one of the most sentimental, emotional days for a college athlete; a final home game in which they are honored for their achievements with the program.
However, for the five seniors in San Diego State baseball: catcher Gage Adams, third baseman Tyce Peterson and pitchers Connor Abadie, Issac Araiza and Aidan Russell, it is a moment of celebration and reflection of their successes.
“They’ve been awesome and it’s been an honor to have them on our team,” head coach Kevin Vance said. “Their leadership has been a huge part of this. It’s the first year with all of us, so they’re an extension of me and the coaching staff.”
Abadie, Araiza and Russell have worn the Scarlet and Black all four years of their college careers, which represents not only a loyalty to the program but also something that isn’t as common nowadays with NIL and the transfer portal. They also represent a vital foundation for the leadership Vance and his staff are looking for, especially with Araiza being named a captain before this season.
“It’s super special,” Russell said. “I think the easiest part in the decision to stay was just the city of San Diego and the support they give, it’s been amazing. I’ve been a part of three senior days already and it’s sad to see the guys go. However, you look back and see the things that they’ve done for the program and how they’ve helped out, it’s really just cool to be part of it.”
Adams and Peterson are both transfers, and their contributions to the team in the stats department and leadership in the clubhouse have not gone unnoticed. They are seen as mentors for the underclassmen, as if they have been with the team as long as Russell.
“[Transferring] has taught me a lot,” Peterson said. “I spent three years at Oregon State, so it was a big change for me, but I think I grew a lot as a person. I got thrown into a leadership role, which I didn’t have at OSU before, so adapting to that, and I think it just made me a better person and player, having that leadership role and pushing the guys and myself.”
Even though Adams hasn’t gotten a lot of playing time, he has filled the gap between starts by being a big voice and role model for the team.
“He’s one of our best leaders and has really changed as a person,” Vance said. “He has bought into this culture and it’s just been fun to see him; he brings a lot of energy on the bench.”
Core memories are often made with a team as close as SDSU. For Russell, a core memory is the three no-hitters during his tenure, including pitching in this season’s combined no-hitter of UC Riverside and defeating No. 1 UCLA earlier this year. Meanwhile, Peterson’s is jumping into the Aztec Aquaplex pool next door after winning the intrasquad Fall World Series and “feeling like a kid again.”
While the seniors’ time with SDSU is nearing its end, they all have taken pride in donning the Scarlet and Black and what it means to be an Aztec.
“We’re representing the city of San Diego and representing the greats that have come before us,” Russell said. “Whether it is Tony Gwynn, Travis Lee or Steven Strasburg, it’s a dream come true to play here and it is very awesome.”
Peterson’s words to the underclassmen perfectly encapsulate what his role on the team is: A leader and voice for those who are just starting out their college careers.
“When stuff’s not going your way, you have to trust it,” Peterson said. “Remember that little kid that was having fun playing Little League and going back to that when times are tough. You have the honor to play baseball every day at college, and a lot of people would kill to have that opportunity, going out there and just having fun with your teammates.”
