Dirtbags Fall In Sunday Finale

Sunday, May 3

Long Beach, Calif.

1:00 PM

Long Beach State University

23-20, 8-10

Hawai'i

18-26, 9-9

Hawai'i

Long Beach State

Eric Hutting had a pair of hits in the game.

5/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

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May 3, 2015

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LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Eric Hutting drove in two runs but Long Beach State was swept for the first time this season with a 6-2 loss to Hawai'i. Joey Sanchez and Tristan Mercadel each had a pair of hits in the loss.

The Rainbow Warriors (18-26, 9-9 Big West) jumped on top early with three runs in the first. They loaded the bases without the ball leaving the infield after a walk and two infield hits. A sacrifice fly brought in the first run before Eric Ramirez and Marcus Doi delivered RBI singles.

Long Beach State's offensive woes continued as the Dirtbags (23-20, 8-10 Big West) didn't pick up a hit until the fourth and left a runner in scoring position in three consecutive innings. Meanwhile, the Rainbow Warriors picked up another run in fifth and one more in the sixth to build a 5-0 lead.

Garrett Hampson led off the sixth with a single and moved to third after Joey Sanchez and Zack Rivera both reached on bunt singles. However, Hawai'i starter Jarrett Arakawa used a strikeout and a double play to keep the shutout intact.

Arakawa went six innings on the mound, scattering six hits for his third win. Andrew Jones tossed the final three innings for his third save but allowed both Dirtbags runs.

Mercadel welcomed Jones to the game with a single to lead off the seventh and later scored on Hutting's single into left. Mercadel walked to lead off the ninth, moved to third on Brock Lundquist's double and scored on Hutting's sacrifice fly to right.

Stephen Ventimilia brought in a couple late insurance runs when he beat out a double play ball in the sixth and hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth. Ramirez was 3-for-5 for the Rainbow Warriors.

Long Beach State hits the road next week for four games. On Tuesday, the Dirtbags will face UNLV in Las Vegas, Nev. before heading to Indiana for a nonconference series with the Hoosiers.