Three game series vs. Stanford

The Dirtbags took one of three from the highly-ranked Standford Cardinals up in Palo Alto this past weekend. Winning at least one game from the highly-touted squad from the north is quite accomplishment let alone the first game of the series. LBSU starting pitcher Andrew Gagnon, once again, lived up to his billing as the ace of the staff and led the Dirtbags to a statement win.

The 'niners returned the next day looking for win number two versus the cardinals, yet came up empty, losing 6-1. This time around the cardinals pitching was just too much for the Dirtbags light-hitting line-up. The third game of the series was much of the same for the Dirtbags, losing yet again, 6-5.

Regardless of the outcome, the Friday victory impressed many throughout the nation. When it comes time to pick the 64 best teams in the nation to continue on to the NCAA tournament, the Dirtbags might be able to use that victory as a stepping stone towards a playoff berth.

Photo by Four Seam Images

 

Gaviglio too much for the Dirtbags

Long Beach State infielder Mike Marjama took the first pitch he saw from Oregon State pitcher Sam Gaviglio in the bottom of the eighth inning and lined it into center field, ending Gaviglio's bid for a perfect game Friday night at Blair Field.

Photo by omocsports.blogspot.com

While Marjama won that battle, Gaviglio still came away with a 4-0 victory as he compiled a career-high 14 strikeouts in nine shutout innings.

Marjama's single was the only hit Gaviglio  allowed against the Dirtbags.

"You have to give [Gaviglio] a lot of credit," Long Beach State head coach Troy Buckley said. "[Gaviglio] was really down in the zone and threw three pitches for strikes. He didn't give [our hitters] a lot of pitches to hit."

The Beavers started the game off with a bang in the first inning when OSU catcher Andrew Susac and designated hitter Danny Hayes hit back-to-back home runs off Dirtbags pitcher Andrew Gagnon . The two home runs to left field gave the Beavers a 2-0 advantage early on.

Even though that's all they would need, the Beavers added two more insurance runs in the third inning when Hayes doubled to deep left center field. The hit brought in left fielder Garret Nash — who reached on a fielder's choice — and Susac — who singled.

Susac and Hayes combined for five of the Beavers' nine hits while driving in all four runs of the game.
Gagnon threw the first five innings for the Dirtbags and struck out six, but walked four batters, including three in the fifth.

Long Beach's offense was no where to be found all night. Four Dirtbag hitters struck out at least two times.

Season Overview

Going into the season the Long Beach State baseball team was reported to have the third toughest schedule in the nation. Yes, the entire United States of America. This coming at a time when the program is at its most vulnerable. The 2011 Long Beach State Dirtbags' roster has 25 new players out its 37. An unprecedented 17 freshman and the rest being junior college transfers.

Several weeks into the season they have held their own against very tough opponents, such as Big West for Cal State Fullerton and Pac-10 heavy weights Oregon, Oregon State and USC. They have impressed the many in the field of division 1 college baseball enough to register a spot amongst the top 50 teams in the nation. This is rather impressive after having so many newcomers to the program.

Bekakis hits the game winner

Courtesy of Stephen Carr/Long Beach State Athletics

Johnny Bekakis’ pinch hit single to right field in the bottom of the ninth inning drove in the winning run as the Long Beach State baseball team stole a win from the USC Trojans Tuesday night at Blair Field, 5-4.  

“I got my pitch, slowed myself down and found the hole [between first and second]”, Bekakis said. “I knew [the pitcher] was just as nervous as I was, it was a big situation.”

The win marks the first LBSU walk-off win of the year as they used 21 players off their 37 man roster. 

“It was a good win for [us]”, said Troy Buckley, head coach. “Over time we have to execute better in all areas, but tonight it didn’t kill us. When they gave us a blow, we gave them a blow and we fought back.”

 Before the Dirtbags’ winning run in the ninth, the Trojans had tied the game in the seventh inning with two runs off of two LBSU pitchers. After Trojans center fielder Omar Cotto Lozada hit an inflied single to Singler, Dirtbags’ pitcher Austin Boyle’s wild pitch allowed Lozada to score from third base.

The second run of the inning was scored off of Dirtbags pitcher Shawn Stuart (1-0), but credited to Boyle. After Stuart threw a wild pitch of his own, USC second baseman Joe De Pinto singled home catcher Kevin Roundtree.

De Pinto’s hit was the last hit Stuart would surrender on his way to earning the win, his first of the season. Stuart tallied a total of two and 1/3 innings, striking out two and walking one.

Dirtbags starting pitcher Kyle Friedrichs threw four and 2/3 innings, giving up one earned run and striking out four, before pitcher Ryan Struffing came on in relief.

“He really pitched [well] even after we gave them some opportunities”, said Buckley. “I thought [Friedrichs] threw the ball pretty darn good.”

Leading the Dirtbags offense was third baseman Mike Marjama who went 2-for-4 with one Run Batted In. The RBI came in the sixth inning when Marjama looped a double into left field. 

Trojans starting pitcher Ben Mount matched Friedrich’s effort with five strong innings of his own. Mount struck out four LBSU batters over five innings.