It was a weekend of high drama and fierce competition for collegiate baseball and softball fans, as both the Washington Huskies and San Diego Toreros delivered performances that will be talked about for weeks. While the Washington baseball team battled the San Diego State Aztecs in a tense, low-scoring affair, the San Diego softball squad lit up the scoreboard in a thrilling win over Kansas City. Each contest showcased the grit, determination, and unpredictability that make college sports so compelling.
Let’s start at Husky Ballpark, where the Washington baseball team faced off against the San Diego State Aztecs on February 28, 2026. The Huskies, eager to build momentum early in the season, sent Jackson Thomas to the mound for his first start of the year. And what a debut it was! Thomas delivered the longest start by any Husky this season, going six full innings and notching a career-high nine strikeouts. He allowed just four hits and three runs in his outing, keeping his team in the game every step of the way.
Washington wasted no time getting on the board. The top of the first inning saw Casen Taggart rip a leadoff double, setting the table for Mic Paul, who promptly drove him home with an RBI single. That early spark put the Huskies ahead 1-0 and had the home crowd buzzing with anticipation. Paul’s RBI was his sixth of the season, tying him for the team lead and further cementing his status as a key contributor—he also leads Washington in on-base percentage at .441, a testament to his disciplined approach at the plate.
The game quickly settled into a pitching duel, with neither side able to break through until the fifth inning. That’s when San Diego State mounted a rally, plating two runs to seize the lead. The Aztecs tacked on another run in the sixth, pushing their advantage to 3-1 and putting the pressure squarely back on the Huskies’ shoulders. Thomas, despite the setback, continued to battle, showing poise and command throughout his outing.
But the Huskies weren’t about to go quietly. In the bottom of the eighth, Sam DeCarlo ignited a potential comeback with a leadoff double. Daniel Porras did his part, grounding out to bring DeCarlo home and cut the deficit to 3-2. The tension was palpable as Washington came to bat in the ninth, but San Diego State’s bullpen held firm, and the Huskies ultimately couldn’t find that elusive tying run. The final score: San Diego State 3, Washington 2.
One bright spot for the Huskies was the performance of Bryce Johnson. Making his first relief appearance, the Sammamish native was lights out, tossing three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, and striking out three. His effort kept Washington within striking distance and provided a glimpse of bullpen depth that could prove crucial as the season unfolds.
“Jackson gave us everything we could ask for, and Bryce came in and shut the door,” said a member of the coaching staff. “We just couldn’t get that last big hit, but we’ll regroup and come back strong.” The Huskies will have a chance to do just that in the rubber match against the Aztecs, scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Husky Ballpark. Fans can expect another hard-fought contest as both teams look to set the tone early in their respective seasons.
Meanwhile, down in San Diego, the Toreros softball team was putting on a show of their own at the Reggie Smith Softball Complex. Coming off a win earlier in the day, San Diego (now 9-9 on the season) capped their doubleheader with a 7-3 victory over Kansas City. The game was a rollercoaster of momentum swings, clutch hits, and gritty pitching performances.
Kansas City struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the third inning after their leadoff hitter was hit by a pitch and eventually driven in with a single. The Toreros appeared poised to respond in the bottom half, loading the bases, but a spectacular leaping catch by the Roos’ center fielder kept them off the scoreboard. The tension was thick, and the crowd could feel the urgency in every at-bat.
The breakthrough for San Diego came in the fourth. With two outs, senior Hailey Mulligan reached on an infield hit, and on the very next pitch, catcher Shawnese Hogue-Lacy launched her first home run of the season over the left field wall. Just like that, the Toreros flipped the script and seized a 2-1 lead. “I just wanted to stay aggressive,” Hogue-Lacy said after the game. “I got a pitch I could handle and put a good swing on it.”
The offense didn’t stop there. In the fifth, freshman Ava Rojas, making her first collegiate start, was hit by a pitch. Leadoff hitter Kaitlyn Wynia doubled her home, extending the lead to 3-1. Then, junior Michelle Delgado worked a remarkable 17-pitch at bat, fouling off pitch after pitch before drawing a walk. That gritty plate appearance set the stage for second baseman Axline Mallory, who drove in Delgado to make it 4-1.
San Diego’s defense also stepped up, with Hogue-Lacy gunning down a would-be base stealer in the sixth. She then led off the bottom half with a single, and the Toreros piled on with Wynia’s two-run double and another RBI single from Delgado, pushing the score to 7-1. Kansas City managed to capitalize on a couple of late errors, narrowing the gap, but it was too little, too late.
In the circle, Kaitlyn Bartlow delivered another gem, going 6.1 innings and giving up just three runs (one earned), lowering her season ERA to 1.96. Charlie Johnson, who had started the first game of the doubleheader, came out of the bullpen to strike out the first two batters she faced and seal the win. “We played with a lot of heart today,” said Bartlow. “It’s great to see everyone contributing.”
The win improves San Diego’s record to 9-9 overall and provides a boost of confidence as they look ahead to West Coast Conference play. With timely hitting, resilient pitching, and a flair for the dramatic, the Toreros are proving they can compete with anyone on their schedule.
As the weekend wraps up, both the Huskies and the Toreros find themselves at pivotal moments in their seasons. Washington will look to bounce back in their series finale, while San Diego aims to carry their momentum forward. One thing’s for sure: if these games are any indication, fans are in for a wild ride this spring.