Dirtbags Let One Slip Away Against LMU, 6-5

Tuesday, April 30

Long Beach, Calif.

6 p.m.

Long Beach State University

8-34

LMU

26-18

LMU

Long Beach State

Photo by: John Fajardo

4/30/2019 11:24:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Long Beach State gave up two runs in three separate innings, including the ninth in a 6-5 loss against LMU on Tuesday night. Freshman Kaden Hogan scored twice and had a two-run double while classmate Alfredo Ruiz provided three solid innings of relief in the ballgame.

By: Tyler Hendrickson, Associate Athletic Communications Director

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State (8-34) allowed another late lead to slip away on Tuesday night, giving up a pair of unearned runs in the ninth inning to suffer a 6-5 loss against LMU (26-18) on Bohl Diamond at Blair Field. The loss snaps a streak of three straight midweek victories for the Dirtbags.

Freshman Kaden Hogan scored a pair of runs for the Dirtbags and had a game-tying, two-run double in the second inning for LBSU. Junior Riki DeSa had a double with a run scored, a walk and an RBI.

Sophomore catcher Chris Jimenez again did his job out of the leadoff spot, picking up an RBI double and a pair of walks. Jimenez has started each of the last six games as the leadoff batter, reaching base multiple times in each of those games. As the leadoff hitter, Jimenez is 8-for-19 (.421) with a terrific on-base percentage of .607. He has drawn nine walks over those six contests with five runs scored, two doubles, and even a pair of stolen bases. Overall this season, Jimenez is hitting .341 with a .540 OBP in 24 games.

Freshman Alfredo Ruiz pitched three scoreless innings out of the bullpen on Tuesday night, allowing just a hit and a walk with four strikeouts. Ruiz has been dealing of late and hasn't allowed a run in his last four relief appearances. He has pitched 11.1 scoreless innings and counting, dropping his ERA from 4.60 to 3.46 over the last two weeks.

After falling behind 2-0 in the first inning, the Dirtbags scored three times in the second to take a 3-2 lead over the Lions. Hogan doubled home a pair before scoring on a wild pitch to put LBSU on top.

Hogan smacks an RBI double down the line to tie this ballgame up at two! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/QvD3TroY9E
— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) May 1, 2019

LMU scored twice more in the fourth, but the Dirtbags were able to scrap back and get the lead with single runs in the sixth and seventh frames. Jimenez doubled home Hogan to tie things up at 4-all, and then the Dirtbags manufactured the go-ahead run in the seventh. Aidan Malm singled to start the inning and pinch-runner Luke Rasmussen stole second to get into scoring position. Chase Luttrell's sacrifice bunt set up DeSa for an RBI groundout to put the Dirtbags up, 5-4.

Jimenez! Rips an RBI Double down the line to tie up this ballgame at 4! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/EgojCiFBCA
— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) May 1, 2019

The Lions were able to answer, however, as a throwing error with one out helped spark a ninth-inning rally. LMU tied the game on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly and then got a two-out single through the left side to score what proved to be the game-winning run.

The Dirtbags are back to Big West play this weekend, hosting UC Riverside for a three-game set. The opener is at 6 p.m. on Friday, followed by a pair of 1 p.m. contests to close out the weekend.