Long Beach State University Athletics
Baseball Ready To Start 2009 Season
2/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 16, 2009
Long Beach, Calif. -
Complete Baseball Release in PDF Format 
On Openers Long Beach State and USC resume a baseball rivalry in 2009, as this weekend's series is the opener for both teams. The teams will play at both sites as is the tradition for the series, with the Trojans hosting the Friday and Sunday games, while Long Beach State will welcome USC to Blair Field on Saturday. The teams played the opposite format last year.
It's All About Timing
The Dirtbags home opener on Saturday has had the time changed to a 5 p.m. start due to a conflict with Men's Basketball. The 49ers hoops squad earned a national television spot for their game against Green Bay, starting at 2:30 p.m., so fans can catch a LBSU sports double-header by heading to Blair after the basketball game, rather than having to choose.
What's Coming Up?
After taking on the Trojans on opening weekend, the 49ers stay in town for a midweek game at LMU before hosting Cal from Feb. 27 through March 1. USC and Cal are just two of the four Pac-10 teams that Dirtbags will play in 2009, as Washington State also comes to Southern California for a weekend series, and the team will play UCLA in two midweek games. Also on the home slate for Long Beach State in non-conference play is a weekend series against UNLV plus home games against LMU, Pepperdine, and San Diego State.
Scouting USC
USC opens the season with a high ranking of No. 24 in the Collegiate Baseball poll depsite finishing in a tie for sixth in the Pac-10 last season. The Trojans return five position players, including shortstop Grant Green who hit .390 with nine home runs last season. On the mound, Kevin Couture returns after making 14 starts, posting a 6-2 record with a 4.27 ERA.
Long Beach State vs. the Trojans
USC holds a 74-38 edge in the all-time series. In the Dirtbag era, the mark is much closer but still slanted towards the Trojans, with USC holding a 34-27 edge. Last season, however, the Dirtbags swept the Trojans as part of an early season hot streak. Andrew Liebel helped the Dirtbags grab a 2-1 win at home on Friday, and then the team hit their way past the Trojans in the remaining games 9-6 and 15-9.
From The Draft
Long Beach State had a school record 11 players drafted from the 2008 squad that picked up the Big West Championship and hosted the NCAA Regionals for the second time in a row. All-American Shane Peterson and closer Bryan Shaw were the first two on the list, both going in the second round. That started a run on Dirtbags, as seven players were taken in the first five rounds of the draft. Infielder Jason Tweedy was the last of the 11, being selected in the 20th round by the Tampa Bay Rays.
To The Pros
Dirtbags continue to move through the minors at a quick rate as well, evidenced by the 13 former players who suited up for a Big League club in 2008. Evan Longoria made the biggest splash, earning AL Rookie of the Year honors after leading Tampa Bay to the World Series in his first year. Other former Dirtbags who made the full season were John Bowker (Giants), Bobby Crosby (A's), Jason Giambi (Yankees), Chris Gomez (Pirates), Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies) Steve Trachsel (Orioles) and Jared Weaver (Angels)
Back At Ya
The 2009 Dirtbags will be looking at their three returning staters to lead the way for a solid but inexperienced ballclub. Sophomore Jonathan Jones played a big part in last year's success, hitting .343 and starting in 43 games after stepping in for the injured Chris Nelson. Steve Tinoco, who had most of his action in the outfield in 2008 is making the move to first base, while Jake Thompson, the team's freshman Sunday pitcher is being asked to take the Friday night ace's role.
A Look Ahead At The Big West
Long Beach State was picked to finish fourth in the Big West in 2009 as announced by the Big West in the annual Big West Coaches Preseason Poll. Despite sharing the title in 2008, the coaches saw the number of players lost for the Dirtbags and placed them fourth, despite still receiving one first place vote. Cal State Fullerton received seven first-place votes and is the pick to win the conference in 2009, with UC Irvine coming in second with 65 points and just behind them with one first place vote, UC Santa Barbara. Cal Poly, UC Riverside, UC Davis, Cal State Northridge round out the second half of the list and Pacific was picked to finish last in all nine polls from the conference's coaches.
Resurrecting The Champs
The 2008 season was a successful one for The Beach, as Long Beach State picked up its eighth Big West title, earning the automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament and hosting the Regional round at Blair Field for the second straight year. The Dirtbags were led by a pair of All-Americans in Andrew Liebel and Shane Peterson. Liebel was the Big West Tri-Pitcher of the year and a second-team All-American, posting an 8-4 record with a 2.22 ERA. Peterson was the Co-Player of the Year in the Big West, hitting .390 and drawing 44 walks in 2009. Also earning All-Big West honors in 2008 were infielders Jason Tweedy and Danny Espinosa along with outfielders Jason Corder and returning sophomore Jonathan Jones.
Not Coming To Every Game?
If you didn't take the option of buying season tickets in 2009, Long Beach State is again offering mini-plans which allow savings with a lower price commitment. For $25 dollars, you can get a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday plan, which will give you a ticket to every game on the season for the day that you choose. If you don't want to be locked into a specific day for the season, Long Beach State is also offering a "Pick 6" plan, where fans can choose any six games on the home schedule for their mini-plan.
