Four-Spots Doom Long Beach State in 8-2 Loss at No. 3 Florida

Friday, February 15

Gainesville, Fla.

3:30 P.M.

Long Beach State University

0-1

Florida

1-0

Long Beach State

Florida

Photo by: Photo Courtesy: Tim Casey

Four-Spots Doom Long Beach State in 8-2 Loss at No. 3 Florida

2/15/2019 9:49:00 PM | Baseball

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A pair of four-run innings propelled No. 3 Florida to an 8-2 victory over the Dirtbags in Friday’s season opener. Long Beach State had runners on in every inning, and moved men into scoring position in eight of the nine frames, but couldn’t cash in enough opportunities in the loss.

By: Tyler Hendrickson, Associate Athletic Communications Director

PHOTO GALLERY

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Missed opportunities plagued Long Beach State in its 2019 season opener on Friday night at No. 3 Florida as the Dirtbags stranded 12 men on base in an 8-2 loss at McKethan Stadium. Furthermore, the Dirtbags had runners on in every inning, and had at least one runner in scoring position in eight of their nine times up to bat.

The Dirtbags drew nine walks in the game, with sophomore Chris Jimenez drawing three free passes, plus two each from seniors Brooks Stotler and Luke Rasmussen and sophomore Santino Rivera. Rasmussen was also hit by pitches twice to reach base safely a team-best four times. Stotler was 2-for-3 with a pair of singles, two walks and two stolen bases in a productive day atop the lineup.

Sophomore Adam Seminaris got the start for the Dirtbags and the southpaw overcame a rough first inning to post a solid outing. The Gators struck for four runs on three hits in the opening frame, getting a pair of two-run singles. The inning could have been much different, however, if not for an overturned call at third base. Gators SS Brady McConnell was originally called out attempting to advance on a wild pitch, but was called safe following an umpire's review. That took the second out off the board in a then-scoreless game and set up the first two-run single of the inning with the second RBI knock coming with two outs.

After the first, Seminaris settled in to get through 5.2 innings without allowing another run. In total, he gave up eight hits and a pair of walks, finishing one off his career high with seven strikeouts.

Things got off to a great start in the top of the first inning as Stotler drew a leadoff walk and promptly stole second base, then reached third on a wild pitch. But following a strikeout, Stotler attempted to score on a pop up to second base and was thrown out at the plate in an inning-ending double play.

Long Beach State broke through in the fourth inning to cut the deficit in half, scoring without a hit in the inning. Rasmussen and Jimenez each walked to put two men on with two outs. The pair then executed a double steal to put two men in scoring position. Both players would score on consecutive pitches thanks to a passed ball and a wild pitch, making it 4-2 Florida in the fourth.

The score would remain that way until the seventh inning, when the Gators put up their second four-run inning. The first run scored on a balk, and then an error with the bases loaded allowed all three runners to score unearned runs and put the game out of reach.

Ten Dirtbags made their debuts on Friday night, including five true freshmen. All three Dirtbags relievers were freshmen, with Jonathan Carlos entering first to record a three-pitch strikeout in the bottom of the sixth, stranding a runner at second base. Basilio Pacheco and Ethan Clough also threw for the Dirtbags out of the bullpen. Offensively, juniors Aidan Malm and Dominic Campeau recorded their first hits as Dirtbags with a single and a double, respectively.

LBSU will look to even the series on Saturday as junior LHP Zak Baayoun will make the start, opposed by Gators RHP Tommy Mace. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. ET with game coverage available online on SEC Network+.