Long Beach State University Athletics
Dirtbags Open 2018 Campaign vs. Saint Mary's
2/15/2018 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Friday, February 16
Long Beach State vs. Saint Mary's
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Bohl Diamond at Blair Field
Beach Vision Live Stream | Listen: 22 West Radio | Live Stats
Saturday, February 17
Long Beach State vs. Saint Mary's
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Bohl Diamond at Blair Field
Beach Vision Live Stream | Listen: 22 West Radio | Live Stats
Sunday, February 18
Long Beach State vs. Saint Mary's
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Bohl Diamond at Blair Field
Beach Vision Live Stream | Listen: 22 West Radio (Also on AM830) | Live Stats
OPENING WEEKEND
• After playing their final eight games of the 2017 season on their home field, the Dirtbags will pick back up where they left off, hosting Saint Mary's at Blair Field for opening weekend.
• Long Beach State is 8-3 in the all-time series with the Gaels, including a 7-0 record since 1989. These teams last met for a three-game series in 2005.
SCOUTING THE GAELS
• After winning 37 games last season, Saint Mary's looks to be in line for another successful season in the West Coast Conference. The Gaels were picked to finish third in the conference in 2018, receiving one first-place vote.
• The Gaels return 21 letterwinners from a season ago, including eight starting position players. They're led by All-American infielder/pitcher Kevin Milam, who was the WCC Freshman of the Year in 2017. He hit .313 with 12 home runs as a freshman and was also the team's closer, recording nine saves in 22 appearances with a 2.27 ERA.
LOOK WHO'S BACK
• While the Dirtbags lost seven players to the MLB Draft during the offseason, there's still plenty of talent back on campus. Senior SS Laine Huffman decided to forego an opportunity at pro ball and return to Long Beach State, where he will join forces with junior 2B Jarren Duran to form a strong, experienced middle infield. Huffman was an honorable mention All-Big West selection while Duran was on the second team.
• Also back in the lineup will be DH Luke Rasmussen, who is set to be a four-year starter for the Dirtbags as a middle-of-the-order bat. Other upperclassmen looking to transition from role player to starter are OF Brooks Stotler, INF/OF Domenic Colacchio, 1B/OF Garrett Nelson, OF Tristan Mercadel and others.
• Junior closer Chris Rivera was a second team All-Big West selection in 2017 and starts this year as an NCBWA Third Team Preseason All-American. He posted 13 saves for the second consecutive season and had a 2.60 ERA, striking out 47 batters in 34.2 innings.
• With last year's weekend rotation either playing professionally (All-Americans Darren McCaughan and Dave Smith) or out for the year with injury (John Sheaks), there are some questions on the mound. However, key relievers Zak Baayoun and Eli Villalobos look to step into new roles in their second year in the program. Once healthy, redshirt junior Tyler Radcliffe should factor in as a starter as well.
BOHL DIAMOND AT BLAIR FIELD
• Long Beach State received a multi-million dollar donation during the offseason from longtime supporter Marilyn Bohl. In recognition of her generous gift, , the Dirtbags' home field has been renamed Bohl Diamond at Blair Field.
• Bohl has been actively involved in supporting the Blair Field renovation project for years, and previously gave a one million dollar gift to help kick off the initial phase of the renovations prior to the 2016 season.
• So far, the renovation efforts have included a new outfield fence, the Troy & Danyll Tulowitzki Batting Facility, the Jered Weaver Bullpen, and improvements to the Dirtbags locker room. Future plans include new stadium lighting, improved field drainage, a new multi-purpose team room along the left field line, plus restroom and seating upgrades.
LB IN MLB
• For the eighth consecutive year, Long Beach State had more players in the major leagues than any other college or university. There were 15 former Dirtbags who played in the major leagues in 2017 and the all-time total for Long Beach State is 48 big league representatives.
• There were two former Dirtbags who made their MLB debuts in 2017. First, it was RHP Shane Carle who appeared for the Colorado Rockies on April 14. Later in the season, C Mike Marjama made his debut with the Seattle Mariners on September 3.
• Kansas City Royals lefthander Jason Vargas made his first All-Star Game appearance during the 2017 season. The Dirtbags will be giving away commemorative Vargas bobbleheads prior at the UC Irvine game on April 7.
