FROM LBSU REPORTS
The Dirtbags have yet to win game two of a series this season, with that trend continuing on Saturday night at Goodwin Field. Long Beach State (9-14) had nine hits compared to just three for Cal State Fullerton (9-11), but the host Titans took advantage of some defensive miscues to snag a 2-1 win, evening the rivalry series at a game apiece.
Reigning Big West Pitcher of the Week Tyler Radcliffe was the tough-luck loser on Saturday, holding Fullerton to just one hit through six innings. He eventually threw 6.1 innings, allowing a pair of unearned runs on three hits while striking out a pair. Eli Villalobos worked around a pair of walks to collect the final five outs of the night.
Long Beach State took the lead in the third inning thanks to a one-out triple from Clayton Andrews. The junior would score on a wild pitch in the next at bat to give LBSU the lead. Unfortunately, the game was defined by missed opportunities for the Dirtbags offense. Long Beach stranded 11 men on base, including at least one runner in each of the first six innings. Andrews, Jarren Duran, and Shaq Robinson each had multi-hit games for Long Beach State, but the Dirtbags were left searching for a key hit all night.
Meanwhile, Fullerton had hits in just two innings on Saturday, but scored a run in each to pick up the victory.
LBSU will look to win the series on Sunday as the Big West rivals will play a rubber match to decide this non-conference series. First pitch from Fullerton is set for 1pm and will feature Clayton Andrews (1-4, 3.72) for the Dirtbags and RHP Andrew Quezada (0-2, 6.00 ERA) for the Titans.
