Friday, April 28
Reno, Nev.
3 p.m.
Long Beach State University
vs
Grand Canyon
Photo by: John Fajardo
Dirtbags Set for Four-Game Weekend in Nevada
4/27/2023 3:47:00 PM | Baseball
Long Beach State will play two games against the University of Nevada, Reno and two games against Grand Canyon.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State will look to turn things around in their conference bye-week as they head to Reno, Nev. to play four games over the weekend. They will open up the three-team "tournament" with a doubleheader on Friday followed by single-games Saturday and Sunday.
Long Beach State vs. Grand Canyon
Friday, April 28
Time: 3 p.m.
Pitching Matchup: Nico Zeglin (LBSU) vs. Daniel Avitia (GCU)
Long Beach State at Nevada
Friday, April 28
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Pitching Matchup: Graham Osman (LBSU) vs. Kade Morris (NEV)
Long Beach State vs. Grand Canyon
Saturday, April 29
Time: 1 p.m.
Pitching Matchup: Kellan Montgomery (LBSU) vs. Carter Young (GCU)
Long Beach State at Nevada
Sunday, April 30
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Pitching Matchup: TBA vs. TBA
ABOUT THE 'BAGS
• The Dirtbags enter the week with a 22-15 overall record and 9-9 mark in conference after being swept at Hawai'i last time out. They currently sit in sixth place in the standings, six games back of the leader.
• The offense owns a .264/.346/.418 slash line with 231 runs in their 37 games. Of the team's 336 hits, 113 have gone for extra bases, including 39 home runs which ranks second-most in the Big West.
• The pitching staff now owns a 4.40 team ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. In 331.1 innings pitched, they have racked up 368 strikeouts compared to just 126 walks.
FLAIR FOR THE DRAMATIC
• The Dirtbags have played 10 games this season where the outcome was decided in the final at-bat of the game. They own a 6-4 record in those games. Of the six, four have led to walkoff victories including three walkoff home runs.
• Since hitting coach Bryan Peters came over with Coach Valenzuela prior to the 2020 season, Long Beach State has launched six walkoff home runs at Blair. The first of the trio this season came on opening weekend from Rocco Peppi. The other two came two weeks ago from Jonathon Long.
STRIKEOUT MACHINE
• Since Coach Valenzuela took over the program, the pitching staff has been striking people out at record pace posting the highest K/9 in 2021 (9.48) and second highest in 2022 (9.40).
• In 331 innings this year, they have 368 strikeouts which is good for a 10.0 K/9 second in the conference and 34th in the nation. The staff is punching people out at that pace while also limiting walks, owning the tenth-best strikeout/walk ratio in the nation at 2.92
MIDWEEK MADNESS
• The Dirtbags played another high scoring affair in their midweek at Fresno State last week, topping the Bulldogs 10-7 to complete the season sweep.
• This year, the 'Bags are 4-3 in midweek games averaging over six runs per game. The offense has shined the most posting a .281 average with an .837 team OPS.
• They are scheduled for two more midweek matchups with USC on May 2 and LMU on May 8.
BATTLE AT THE BIG A
• Speaking of USC, the Dirtbags announced the Tuesday, May 2 midweek game with the Trojans will be played at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. First pitch will be at 6pm and tickets will be available at angels.com/dirtbags
• This will be the fourth time in program history, Long Beach State will play in a big league park having previously played in Seattle, San Francisco, and San Diego.
THE WEEKEND AHEAD
• This week the Dirtbags will play four games in three days with two against Nevada and two against Grand Canyon. Friday will be a doubleheader to open the weekend.
• The Wolfpack enters the weekend with a 16-22 overall record coming off a midweek loss to Sacramento State and have lost three of their last four games.
• Nevada currently boasts a .263 team average and a .776 OPS with 219 runs scored in their 38 games. The pitching staff owns a 5.51 ERA with a 1.55 WHIP. In 330 innings on the mound, they own 338 strikeouts compared to 161 walks.
• The 'Lopes are 23-18 overall entering the weekend coming off a Monday night loss to No. 22 Oregon State.
• Grand Canyon's offense has been one of the best in the west with a .296 batting average and .839 OPS. In 41 games, they have scored 314 runs. The pitching staff has not had the same success sporting a 5.84 ERA and 1.62 WHIP.
AGAINST THE OPPONENT
• Long Beach State and Grand Canyon have played each other just seven times in program history with the Dirtbags leading the all-time series 6-1. The Dirtbags have won each of the last three, but the last matchup was back in 2017.
• Long Beach State and Nevada have met 36 times in program history with 15 coming in Reno. All-time the Dirtbags trail it 17-18-1 and are 5-10 when playing on the road.
BAGS IN THE BIGS
• Major League Baseball's season is nearly a full month in and currently features five Dirtbag alum across the league. Three of the five appeared on Opening Day rosters with the remaining two already earning a call up from AAA.
• Evan Longoria is the longest tenured alum active in the big leagues as he begins his 16th season, but with a new ballclub in the Arizona Diamondbacks. Matt Duffy is set for his eighth season on his fifth different team after joining the Kansas City Royals in the offseason. The third and final Dirtbag in the league is Jeff McNeil, who is coming off a batting title and new four-year contract with the New York Mets.
• Since Opening Day, a trio of Dirtbags have been recalled. Darren McCaughan was called up by the Mariners, Jarren Duran was called up and since earned a spot in the starting lineup with the Red Sox, and Garrett Hampson is seeing consistent time as a utility man with the Marlins.
Long Beach State vs. Grand Canyon
Friday, April 28
Time: 3 p.m.
Pitching Matchup: Nico Zeglin (LBSU) vs. Daniel Avitia (GCU)
Long Beach State at Nevada
Friday, April 28
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Pitching Matchup: Graham Osman (LBSU) vs. Kade Morris (NEV)
Long Beach State vs. Grand Canyon
Saturday, April 29
Time: 1 p.m.
Pitching Matchup: Kellan Montgomery (LBSU) vs. Carter Young (GCU)
Long Beach State at Nevada
Sunday, April 30
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Pitching Matchup: TBA vs. TBA
ABOUT THE 'BAGS
• The Dirtbags enter the week with a 22-15 overall record and 9-9 mark in conference after being swept at Hawai'i last time out. They currently sit in sixth place in the standings, six games back of the leader.
• The offense owns a .264/.346/.418 slash line with 231 runs in their 37 games. Of the team's 336 hits, 113 have gone for extra bases, including 39 home runs which ranks second-most in the Big West.
• The pitching staff now owns a 4.40 team ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. In 331.1 innings pitched, they have racked up 368 strikeouts compared to just 126 walks.
FLAIR FOR THE DRAMATIC
• The Dirtbags have played 10 games this season where the outcome was decided in the final at-bat of the game. They own a 6-4 record in those games. Of the six, four have led to walkoff victories including three walkoff home runs.
• Since hitting coach Bryan Peters came over with Coach Valenzuela prior to the 2020 season, Long Beach State has launched six walkoff home runs at Blair. The first of the trio this season came on opening weekend from Rocco Peppi. The other two came two weeks ago from Jonathon Long.
STRIKEOUT MACHINE
• Since Coach Valenzuela took over the program, the pitching staff has been striking people out at record pace posting the highest K/9 in 2021 (9.48) and second highest in 2022 (9.40).
• In 331 innings this year, they have 368 strikeouts which is good for a 10.0 K/9 second in the conference and 34th in the nation. The staff is punching people out at that pace while also limiting walks, owning the tenth-best strikeout/walk ratio in the nation at 2.92
MIDWEEK MADNESS
• The Dirtbags played another high scoring affair in their midweek at Fresno State last week, topping the Bulldogs 10-7 to complete the season sweep.
• This year, the 'Bags are 4-3 in midweek games averaging over six runs per game. The offense has shined the most posting a .281 average with an .837 team OPS.
• They are scheduled for two more midweek matchups with USC on May 2 and LMU on May 8.
BATTLE AT THE BIG A
• Speaking of USC, the Dirtbags announced the Tuesday, May 2 midweek game with the Trojans will be played at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. First pitch will be at 6pm and tickets will be available at angels.com/dirtbags
• This will be the fourth time in program history, Long Beach State will play in a big league park having previously played in Seattle, San Francisco, and San Diego.
THE WEEKEND AHEAD
• This week the Dirtbags will play four games in three days with two against Nevada and two against Grand Canyon. Friday will be a doubleheader to open the weekend.
• The Wolfpack enters the weekend with a 16-22 overall record coming off a midweek loss to Sacramento State and have lost three of their last four games.
• Nevada currently boasts a .263 team average and a .776 OPS with 219 runs scored in their 38 games. The pitching staff owns a 5.51 ERA with a 1.55 WHIP. In 330 innings on the mound, they own 338 strikeouts compared to 161 walks.
• The 'Lopes are 23-18 overall entering the weekend coming off a Monday night loss to No. 22 Oregon State.
• Grand Canyon's offense has been one of the best in the west with a .296 batting average and .839 OPS. In 41 games, they have scored 314 runs. The pitching staff has not had the same success sporting a 5.84 ERA and 1.62 WHIP.
AGAINST THE OPPONENT
• Long Beach State and Grand Canyon have played each other just seven times in program history with the Dirtbags leading the all-time series 6-1. The Dirtbags have won each of the last three, but the last matchup was back in 2017.
• Long Beach State and Nevada have met 36 times in program history with 15 coming in Reno. All-time the Dirtbags trail it 17-18-1 and are 5-10 when playing on the road.
BAGS IN THE BIGS
• Major League Baseball's season is nearly a full month in and currently features five Dirtbag alum across the league. Three of the five appeared on Opening Day rosters with the remaining two already earning a call up from AAA.
• Evan Longoria is the longest tenured alum active in the big leagues as he begins his 16th season, but with a new ballclub in the Arizona Diamondbacks. Matt Duffy is set for his eighth season on his fifth different team after joining the Kansas City Royals in the offseason. The third and final Dirtbag in the league is Jeff McNeil, who is coming off a batting title and new four-year contract with the New York Mets.
• Since Opening Day, a trio of Dirtbags have been recalled. Darren McCaughan was called up by the Mariners, Jarren Duran was called up and since earned a spot in the starting lineup with the Red Sox, and Garrett Hampson is seeing consistent time as a utility man with the Marlins.
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