Long Beach State University Athletics
Dirtbag Duo Named Big West's Best
2/25/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 25, 2008
LONG BEACH-- Long Beach State shortstop Danny Espinosa and Friday night starter Andrew Liebel swept the Big West Conference's Player and Pitcher of the Week awards following the team's series win over No. 6-ranked Rice.
The Dirtbags (2-1), who host the University of San Diego on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., moved up to as high as No. 10 nationally in Baseball America's weekly poll. They were ranked No. 13 last week. Manny McElroy is slated to start against an undetermined Torero starter. USD is currently 1-2 prior to playing San Diego State on Monday.
Espinosa, who ties Evan Longoria for most Player of the Week awards by a position player, batted .500 last week, posting the game-winning hit in Friday's 10th inning victory and adding a 3-for-4 day in Saturday's series clincher.
Liebel, who receives the honor for the first time in his career, struck out a career-best 11, while tossing a five-hit shutout over eight innings last Friday.
The Dirtbags continue their home series with a three-game series with Wichita State this weekend starting on Friday.
