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Long Beach State was desperate for a big win and got it Friday night on Bohl Diamond at Blair Field. The Dirtbags tied a season-high with 14 hits in a 13-7 win over Cal State Northridge to open the Big West weekend series.
LBSU and CSUN traded the lead early until big hits from freshman Jake Evans and Matt Toomey blew the game wide open.
“I thought it was one of the first times that our team collectively took a punch, we answered, we took another punch, we answered and then we extended the game,” Dirtbags coach TJ Bruce said. “We haven’t really done that. We’ve punched and then they punched back and we punched again and then all of a sudden we’ve gone dormant the last few innings. That was a really good job, and a team win tonight.”
Toomey’s pinch-hit 2-RBI triple was an integral part of a six-run sixth inning.
“I think everyone on our team just loves each other and wants to see us succeed,” Toomey said of not getting frustrated during an up and down season. “I think we have a good bond and there’s more to come this season. We have some big series ahead and we’re looking forward to it.”
The Dirtbags (16-22, 10-12) are still just a few games back of being in the top five in the conference standings to qualify for the Big West Tournament.
“They know what’s in front of them, they know we’re still playing for something and everything is ahead of us… We have to believe that,” Bruce said.
Dirtbags ace Kellan Montgomery struggled in the early going and gave up five runs in the first three innings, but settled down and pitched six innings while striking out six. Alex Ramos and Josh Donegan came out of the bullpen to close the game. It is Montgomery’s eighth win this season.
After CSUN (8-28, 4-14) took the early lead, senior shortstop Nathan Cadena and senior catcher Conner Stewart hit home runs in the second inning to put the Dirtbags up 3-2.
CSUN retook the lead 5-3 in the third inning before freshman third baseman Jake Evans bounced a 3-run home run off the left field pole in the fourth inning to retake a 6-5 lead. It’s his first homer as a Dirtbag and gleefully called it the “Fair pole” during the postgame interview.
“I haven’t had too much success at the plate but I’ve got to stay the course and lean on my brothers,” Evans said. “I was looking for a ball middle in and got the pitch. He had thrown a slider earlier in the count and then threw that same thing and I went after it.”
Evans echoed his freshman teammate Toomey in terms of relying on each other to get back to winning ways. The 13 runs are the most for the Dirtbags in 31 games.
“It’s just leaning on each other, our community and our coaching staff,” Evans said. “We’ve got one of the best communities for baseball. Playing in the great city of Long Beach, you can’t beat it.”
“He’s a beast,” Toomey said of Evans. “He’s one of my best friends but also one of my favorite teammates. He’s been on a burner and he’s going to keep it up the rest of the weekend.”
Cadena and senior first baseman Connor Charpiot each had three hits and three RBI while the Dirtbags went 4-for-6 with runners at third base with less than two outs. Cadena and Stewart each had three runs scored.
The series continues on Saturday night at 6.
