Dirtbags Win on Cold Night in Extra Innings

Friday, February 16

Houston, Texas

5:00 PM

Long Beach State University

5-2

Rice

3-4

Long Beach State

Rice

2/16/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

Dirtbags Take Series Opener 4-3 in 11 Innings
Cline Drives in Go-Ahead Run in the 11th

Feburary 16, 2007

BOX SCORE

HOUSTON, TX-- With temperatures bordering in the low 40's, a groundout by Matt Cline plated Steve Tinoco in the 11th inning and led No. 20-ranked Long Beach State (5-2) to a 4-3 win over host No. 6-ranked Rice (3-4). Andrew Liebel, who threw 3.1 shutout innings of relief, picked up the win, before Bryan Shaw after putting two runners on in the ninth, got the final three outs for his second save.

Cline drove in two runs on three hits on the day including a game-tying single in the fifth. LBSU tied the game in the eighth off a fielding error by leftfielder Jordan Dotson, as Tinoco's low lying flyball popped out of his glove and allowed pinch-runner Chris Nelson to score from second and tie the game at 3-3.

Jared Gayhart took a two-out single up the middle to spoil a strong outing by Vance Worley. Worley had retired 10 in a row, prior to a single and bloop double, and after striking out Aaron Luna, was relieved by Andrew Liebel. Liebel gave up a two-strike base hit to Gayhart as Rice re-took the lead at 3-2.

Bobby Bramhall pitched three and a third innings of relief, tiring and giving up the go-ahead run in the eighth. Gayhart (0-1) took the loss, pitching two and one third innings, before giving up the go-ahead run in the 11th inning.

After Rice turned a triple play in the fourth inning, the Dirtbags plated two in the fifth to take a 2-1 lead. Matt Cline's single scored Steve Tinoco, before Jason Tweedy was thrown out at the plate. Robert Perry then followed with his own RBI single to break the tie.

Chris Kelley was chased from the game in the fifth, giving up two runs on seven hits over four and one third innings.

The series continues on Saturday at 12 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. Andre Lamontagne (0-0, 13.50) is slated to go for The Beach on Saturday.