Long Beach State University
Michigan
Dirtbags Hold On For Exciting 8-7 Win Over No. 16 Michigan
3/5/2019 5:52:00 PM | Baseball
Tension was high in the final inning, but Long Beach State was able to survive for a much-needed 8-7 win over No. 16 Michigan on Tuesday afternoon in Long Beach. The Dirtbags had a season-high in hits (11) and runs (8) to pull out the narrow victory.
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The offense provided a balanced attack as eight different players recorded at least one hit and all nine starters reached base safely against the Wolverines. Jacob Hughey, Tyler Porter and Tanner Carlson each had two hits and two RBIs for the Dirtbags, and Cole Joy also chipped in a two-run double. Brooks Stotler had a single and a walk, stole a base and scored twice. Seven of Long Beach's eight runs were scored with two outs, including all six runs in an explosive bottom of the third.
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After Michigan took the lead in the top of the first, Long Beach State tied things up with a two-out RBI single from Porter to bring in Stotler. With two outs in the third, Stotler would again be a catalyst for a rally as he walked to put a man on. Next up was Hughey, who ripped an RBI double over the left fielder's head to start a string of four consecutive hits. All told, eight consecutive Dirtbags would reach base safely in the six-run, two-out rally. After a second RBI single from Porter, Joy's two-run double and a two-run single by Carlson were the other run-producing plays in the inning.
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Tyler Porter delivers the 2-out RBI single to score Brooks Stotler & we're all tied up! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/6tNx4B3wYk
— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) March 5, 2019
Porter does it again! Another at-bat, another RBI single for the freshman! Hughey scores & the Dirtbags lead 3-1 over No. 16 Michigan! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/uuO3JgnPuf
— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) March 5, 2019
ÂOh Joy! Cole rips an RBI double to score a pair as Long Beach State keeps the rally going! 4 runs in the 3rd inning have the Dirtbags up 5-1 over Michigan! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/GxvCd1Yl6H
— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) March 5, 2019
LBSU tacked on a run in the sixth as Laine Huffman came home on an RBI groundout from Hughey to make it 8-4 Long Beach.
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Michigan scored once in the eighth inning and hit a two-run home run in the ninth that grazed Stotler's glove in center as he tried to bring it back into play. That set the scene for a dramatic finish. Christian Bullock hit a one-out single in the ninth inning with the Dirtbags up 8-7, and attempted to steal second to get into scoring position. Despite being 7-for-7 in stolen base attempts this season, Joy threw him out at second with the help of a nice pick by Porter. After back-to-back Michigan singles put two men on with two outs, closer Dylan Spacke earned the white-knuckle save with a harmless popout to shortstop.
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ÂJoy's throw cutting down what would be the game tying run for Michigan in the 8-7 win for the Dirtbags. #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/9kUP3fv8kb
— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) March 6, 2019
Freshman LHP Basilio Pacheco picked up his first career win, going five innings allowing two hits, two walks and collecting three strikeouts. He allowed just one run, of the unearned variety, in the top of the first.
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Long Beach State will look to roll over the momentum into the weekend, when No. 23 TCU comes to town for a three-game series beginning Friday at 6 p.m.
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Coach Troy Buckley addressed the media following today's 8-7 win over No. 16 Michigan! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/hxV78c8uIO
— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) March 6, 2019
We also caught up with catcher @Cole_joy15 who had a big 2-run double & a huge caught stealing in the 9th inning today! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/Eb2r7hQiK3
— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) March 6, 2019
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