Dirtbags lose to Cal 9-6

Saturday, February 28

Long Beach, Calif.

2:00 PM

Long Beach State University

2-4

California

5-2

California

Long Beach State

Devin Lohman was 3-for-3 with two walks.

2/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

Feb. 28, 2009

Box Score

Long Beach, Calif. - Long Beach State battled back from two four-run deficits, but was unable to grab the lead in a 9-6 loss to Cal on Saturday. Devin Lohman was 3-for-3 with two walks, leading an offensive effort that saw 10 hits for the Dirtbags.

Cal opened the game with a big inning, as Jeff Lease struggled in his first collegiate start. The Bears opened the game with single and a double to start the game bringing in a run. Lease would rebound with two strikeouts for two outs, but another hit, a walk and an error by freshman Derek Legg opened the door for three more runs in the first.

The Dirtbags scored two runs in the bottom half of the inning to cut into the lead. TJ Mittelsteadt led off the inning with a walk, and Devin Lohman hit the first of his three hits to put two runners on. Both would then come around to score on consecutive singles from Taylor Krick and Jonathan Jones, cutting the lead to 4-2.

The Bears added two more runs in the second and third against to regain a four-run cushion, but the Dirtbags would come all the way back in the bottom half of the third inning. Jones started the rally with a walk, and after an RBI single by Steve Tinoco, an error by Dixon Anderson extended the inning. The Dirtbags would capitalize, scoring three unearned runs on RBI hits from Mittelstaedt and Legg to tie the contest at six.

Both teams finally found stability in the bullpens, as Stephen Pistoresi would pitch 3.1 scoreless innings for Cal, and freshman Andrew Gagnon would enter for Long Beach State, pitching 5.1 innings and striking out five.

Cal would push into the lead in the fifth inning, as Mark Canha and Danny Oh started the frame with singles, and were pushed along with a bunt. Gagnon ended the inning without allowing another hit, striking out two batters but threw a wild pitch which allowed Canha to score what would be the deciding run.

The Bears would push across two more runs, and while the Dirtbags threatened with multiple runners in scoring position in both the eighth and ninth innings, Cal relievers Michael Bugary and Erik Johnson got the required outs to keep the Dirtbags off the board.

The Dirtbags and Cal finish out the three game series on Sunday, March 1 at Blair Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.