Long Beach State University
3-2
Wake Forest
3-2
Ruiz Shines Again, Dirtbags Top No. 17 Wake Forest, 6-2
2/21/2020 10:05:00 PM | Baseball
Long Beach State picked up its first win over a ranked team in the Eric Valenzuela era, winning the series opener against No. 17 Wake Forest, 6-2. Alfredo Ruiz tossed seven scoreless innings on the mound while Jacob Hughey and Leonard Jones each had a pair of RBIs at the plate.
The sophomore lefty was aided by some early offense, provided by a two-run triple in the bottom of the first inning by Leonard Jones. That score Jacob Hughey and Aidan Malm to give the Dirtbags an early 2-0 edge.
The lead would grow with a four-spot in the bottom of the fourth inning, thanks to some help from the visitors. Wake Forest starting pitcher Ryan Cusick issued three of his six walks in that fourth inning, and Hughey made sure to make it hurt with a two-out, two-run single through the right side of the infield. That gives Hughey four RBIs on the season, good for the team lead in that category.LJ!!! Jones drives a triple to right center to score Hughey & Malm and the Dirtbags take a 2-0 lead in the first inning! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/W90kEhxIT5
— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) February 22, 2020
That was all the offense Ruiz would need as he settled into a nice groove out on the mound. He was unable to match his double-digit strikeout total from his first start, finishing with four punchouts on the evening, but he limited the Deacs to just two hits through seven scoreless innings. Ruiz also issued three walks, but made big pitches when he needed them. After the first two batters reached in the top of the fourth, Ruiz collected himself to get a double play and a swinging strikeout to escape the jam, letting out a scream on the mound after strike three.Hughey delivers! A 2-out, 2-run single makes it a 4-run fourth inning for the Dirtbags! It's now a 6-0 Long Beach State lead over No. 17 Wake Forest! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/mZq5AiAJ3B
— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) February 22, 2020
Freshman Alex Pimentel picked up his first career start in left field and he did not disappoint. He recorded a single and a walk at the plate, scoring in that fourth-inning rally. Pimentel also made a nice running catch going back towards the warning track to take a run away from Wake Forest in the sixth.GOT HEEM!! After allowing the first two batters to reach, Ruiz gets a double play ball & this strikeout to get out of trouble. Dirtbags still up 2-0 on No. 17 Wake Forest! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/jHjDBzsyEN
— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) February 22, 2020
The Dirtbags will look to clinch a series win on Saturday as freshman RHP Luis Ramirez (0-0, 8.31 ERA) will get his second career start. He will be opposed by Wake Forest LHP Jared Shuster (1-0, 3.00 ERA) as the Dirtbags get their first look at a left-handed starting pitcher this season. First pitch is set for 3 p.m., but with rain in tomorrow's forecast, be sure to check the @LBDirtbags Twitter feed for updates on Saturday's game.Alex Pimentel with the great running catch at the warning track to end the top of the 6th! Dirtbags still leading 6-0 as Ruiz has posted another quality start. #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/1yacgWbV7n
— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) February 22, 2020
We caught up with Leonard Jones after tonight's 6-2 win over Wake Forest. LJ had a pair of hits tonight, including a key 2-run triple in the first inning! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/fnAUvLiOir
— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) February 22, 2020
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Ruiz, Alfredo (2-0)
L: Ryan Cusick (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Chris Lanzilli 1 ; Bobby Seymour 1 ; William Simoneit 1
RBI: Bobby Seymour 1 ; William Simoneit 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Chris Lanzilli 1 ; Brendan Tinsman 1
PO: Bobby Seymour 1
Batting:
3B: Jones, Leonard 1
RBI: Estrada, Calvin 1 ; Hughey, Jacob 2 ; Jones, Leonard 2 ; DeSa, Riki 1
SH: Carlino, Victor 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hughey, Jacob 1 ; Malm, Aidan 1 ; Rivera, Santino 1 ; Carlino, Victor 1 ; Pimentel, Alex 1 ; DeSa, Riki 1
SB: Lopez, Jesse 1
