Dirtbags Drop Series Opener at Cal State Fullerton, 6-3

Thursday, May 25

Fullerton, Calif.

6:00 PM

Long Beach State University

35-17-1, 18-4

Cal State Fullerton

34-19, 15-7

Long Beach State

Cal State Fullerton

5/25/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

May 25, 2017

Box Score

FULLERTON, Calif. - Long Beach State's final regular season series got off to a tough start on Thursday evening, as No. 14 Cal State Fullerton took a 5-0 lead after three innings and held on for a 6-3 win at Goodwin Field. The loss drops the Dirtbags to 35-17-1 overall while Fullerton improves to 34-19. LBSU has already clinched the Big West Conference championship.

Lucas Tancas was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored and leadoff man Jarren Duran had a bunt single, a triple, and a run scored on the night. LBSU used five pitchers on the evening, starting with John Sheaks, who labored through 5.0 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits.

Connor Seabold threw a complete game for the Titans, allowing three runs on seven hits with 11 strikeouts. Fullerton's leadoff batter reached base in each of the first three innings, coming around to score each time. The Titans scored an unearned run in the first on a Dirtbags throwing error, then scored twice in each of the next two innings. CSF got solo home runs from Scott Hurst and Timmy Richards in the third inning to take a 5-0 lead.

Long Beach State got back in the game with two runs in the fourth as the offense came alive the second time through the order. Duran started the rally with a bunt single, then Daniel Jackson and Tancas singled on consecutive pitches to load the bases. Two batters later, Brock Lundquist flared an RBI single to left to put the Dirtbags on the board. A Luke Rasmussen RBI groundout would end the scoring in the inning, making it a 5-2 game.

Duran hit a leadoff triple into the right field corner in the eighth, then came home to score on a line drive sacrifice fly from Tancas to make it 5-3, but LBSU wouldn't get any closer.

LBSU will turn to RHP Darren McCaughan (8-2, 2.70 ERA) in game two of the series on Friday, as he will face Fullerton LHP John Gavin (6-2, 3.16 ERA). First pitch is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcast by ESPN3.