REPORT FROM LBSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
The Dirtbags (2-13) looked to knock off the No. 2 UCLA Bruins (12-3) on Tuesday night on Bohl Diamond at Blair Field, but the offense couldn’t do enough to support the pitching staff in a 2-0 loss. A total of 12 pitchers were used, with seven for UCLA and five for Long Beach State, and despite LBSU outhitting the Bruins, 7-4, the Dirtbags were unable to scratch a run against the UCLA staff.
Junior Riki DeSa continued his hot hitting with a pair of hits on Tuesday, including a ringing double off the left centerfield wall in the fourth inning. Victor Carlino and Santino Rivera had back-to-back singles in the fifth to generate the best chance for the Dirtbags to score, but the bases were left loaded in the inning. Junior Jacob Hughey reached twice with a single and a walk and Jake Vander Wal and Chase Luttrell added base hits as well.
On the mound, LBSU started the game with a pair of debutants as junior Sagun Gainey worked the first two frames and junior Raul Rizo followed for the next two frames. Gainey surrendered a leadoff home run but settled in to retire the next six batters, and Rizo gave up a pair of walks in two scoreless innings of work. Tyler Gums struck out four in his three innings of work but did walk three and allow a run, Jonathan Carlos pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Dylan Spacke worked through traffic for a scoreless ninth.
Long Beach State’s last eight games have been against ranked teams, with LBSU going 2-6 in that span. This weekend, the Dirtbags welcome Minnesota to Long Beach for a three-game series beginning Friday at 6 p.m. Fans are encouraged to stick around postgame for Friday Night Fireworks.
