Padres React to SDSU’s Game-Winning Shot to Head to National Championship
If the San Diego Padres needed any more motivation heading into their third game of the season against the Colorado Rockies, they certainly got it by watching SDSU's Final Four game unfold.
The Padres organization put together an amazing event that took place a couple of hours prior to the first pitch on Saturday that allowed fans attending the game to watch SDSU face off against Florida Atlantic in the NCAA March Madness tournament.
We all know how the game unfolded but in case you don't, SDSU's guard Lamont Butler punched the Aztecs' ticket to the championship game in heroic fashion. Down by 14 points in the second half, they stormed all the way back and Butler poised as ever, hit a mid-range shot just before the final buzzer to win 72-71.
See the shot for yourself here along with Petco Park's eruption after.
The fans weren't the only ones going crazy when this happened, our Padres themselves were in disbelief and beyond proud of the men's basketball team for continuing their journey to a title.
Xander Bogaerts, who has been incredible for San Diego so far and hit his first home run of 2023 on Saturday, revealed that he couldn't help but take a look at the final shot while he was warming up to bat.
"We were in the cage," said Bogaerts. "I was going to hit, but I wanted to watch, and I saw the guy. It was a couple seconds. I'm like, 'Is he even going to get a shot off?' And he looked and made a nice walk-off. I wouldn't be able to do that, that was huge."
(Via Chase Izidoro)
Bogaerts was among Friars players who had suited up in Kawhi Leonard Aztecs uniforms to show their support for the university.
Team manager Bob Melvin also had a ton of praise for the school following their historic victory.
"What an unbelievable game," said Melvin. "What an incredible shot. Boy, you could feel it all around the stadium. It gave us momentum going in."
(Via Chase Izidoro)
The Friars will look to continue winning ways Sunday at 1:10 pm PT along with the Aztecs on Monday at 6:20 pm PT.
