Friday, April 28
Reno, Nev.
3 p.m.
Long Beach State University
11
vs
8
Grand Canyon
Photo by: John Fajardo
Dirtbags’ Offense Explodes on Day One in Reno
4/28/2023 11:17:00 PM | Baseball
Long Beach State totaled 28 runs in a doubleheader sweep.
RENO, Nev. – Long Beach State's offense had unbelievable day in a doubleheader sweep to open up their weekend in Reno. In game one, they topped Grand Canyon 11-8 before overcoming an early deficit for a 17-8 win in game two over host Nevada.
Both games were all about the offense as the Dirtbags totaled 28 runs on 33 hits in the two games. Of their 18 innings of hitting, they scored at least one run in 13 of them with multiple runs in seven.
In game one, the Dirtbags got the scoring started right out the gate with a Jonathon Long home run. A moonshot to dead center, it gives him his team-leading tenth of the season. However, the Lopes responded with a three-spot in the bottom of the first to take the lead.
Connor Burns put the 'Bags back in front in the third with a two-RBI single in the third followed by Long's second homer of the ballgame two innings later.
Nico Zeglin did not have his best stuff, but still pieced together another quality start with six innings allowing just two earned runs (four runs total). He surrendered seven hits and a pair of walks while striking out five on the way to his fifth victory of the season.
After GCU tied the game in the bottom of the sixth, Long Beach State responded with two in the seventh and closed out the game with seven runs through the final three innings.
The Lopes started to rally in the ninth, plating three runs and forcing two LBSU pitching changes in the frame. Ultimately, the ball ended up in the hands of Sky Wells who struck out both hitters he faced to leave the bases loaded and secure an 11-8 Dirtbag victory.
Burns enjoyed a career day, going 4-for-5 and a homer shy of the cycle. It is his first career four-hit effort, including his second career triple. The five RBI also marks a new a career-high for the junior catcher.
Meanwhile Long enjoyed his fourth career multi-home run game while Kyle Ashworth (3-for-5), Eddie Saldivar (2-for-5), and Jack Hammond (2-for-5, HR) each enjoyed multi-hit afternoons.
--
Game two started the same as game one with the Dirtbags taking an early lead in the top of the first. However, Nevada responded with five runs in bottom half of the first, two more in the second, and one in the third leading by five runs through the first third of the game.
Dalton Ponce took over on the mound in the third and was nearly untouchable. After allowing an unearned run in his first inning of work, the right-hander finished his outing retiring 14 of the last 16 Wolfpack hitters. He racked up five innings of work, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out a career-high six batters.
The Dirtbags chipped away at the Nevada lead with single runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings before the big damage came in the sixth.
After a bases loaded single from Saldivar made it a two-run deficit, Jack Hammond stepped to the plate with the bases loaded. The redshirt sophomore absolutely crushed the ball to left center and into the parking lot beyond the wall for a grand slam. It is his sixth homer of the season and put the Dirtbags out in front 10-8.
Long Beach State was not done there though pushing three more runs across in the seventh and four more in the ninth.
Ethan Clough took over on the mound retiring all six Wolfpack hitters he faced in the final two innings to secure the 17-8 victory and doubleheader sweep on day one in Reno.
In the box score, every Dirtbag that had an official at-bat recorded a hit, eight different 'Bags scored a run, and eight recorded an RBI. Eddie Saldivar led the way, going 4-for-6 with a career-high four RBI. Long was perfect reaching base with a 3-for-3 night with a walk and two hit by pitches.
Long Beach State is back at Peccole Park tomorrow for another matchup with Grand Canyon. First pitch will be at 1 p.m.
Both games were all about the offense as the Dirtbags totaled 28 runs on 33 hits in the two games. Of their 18 innings of hitting, they scored at least one run in 13 of them with multiple runs in seven.
In game one, the Dirtbags got the scoring started right out the gate with a Jonathon Long home run. A moonshot to dead center, it gives him his team-leading tenth of the season. However, the Lopes responded with a three-spot in the bottom of the first to take the lead.
Connor Burns put the 'Bags back in front in the third with a two-RBI single in the third followed by Long's second homer of the ballgame two innings later.
Nico Zeglin did not have his best stuff, but still pieced together another quality start with six innings allowing just two earned runs (four runs total). He surrendered seven hits and a pair of walks while striking out five on the way to his fifth victory of the season.
After GCU tied the game in the bottom of the sixth, Long Beach State responded with two in the seventh and closed out the game with seven runs through the final three innings.
The Lopes started to rally in the ninth, plating three runs and forcing two LBSU pitching changes in the frame. Ultimately, the ball ended up in the hands of Sky Wells who struck out both hitters he faced to leave the bases loaded and secure an 11-8 Dirtbag victory.
Burns enjoyed a career day, going 4-for-5 and a homer shy of the cycle. It is his first career four-hit effort, including his second career triple. The five RBI also marks a new a career-high for the junior catcher.
Meanwhile Long enjoyed his fourth career multi-home run game while Kyle Ashworth (3-for-5), Eddie Saldivar (2-for-5), and Jack Hammond (2-for-5, HR) each enjoyed multi-hit afternoons.
--
Game two started the same as game one with the Dirtbags taking an early lead in the top of the first. However, Nevada responded with five runs in bottom half of the first, two more in the second, and one in the third leading by five runs through the first third of the game.
Dalton Ponce took over on the mound in the third and was nearly untouchable. After allowing an unearned run in his first inning of work, the right-hander finished his outing retiring 14 of the last 16 Wolfpack hitters. He racked up five innings of work, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out a career-high six batters.
The Dirtbags chipped away at the Nevada lead with single runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings before the big damage came in the sixth.
After a bases loaded single from Saldivar made it a two-run deficit, Jack Hammond stepped to the plate with the bases loaded. The redshirt sophomore absolutely crushed the ball to left center and into the parking lot beyond the wall for a grand slam. It is his sixth homer of the season and put the Dirtbags out in front 10-8.
Long Beach State was not done there though pushing three more runs across in the seventh and four more in the ninth.
Ethan Clough took over on the mound retiring all six Wolfpack hitters he faced in the final two innings to secure the 17-8 victory and doubleheader sweep on day one in Reno.
In the box score, every Dirtbag that had an official at-bat recorded a hit, eight different 'Bags scored a run, and eight recorded an RBI. Eddie Saldivar led the way, going 4-for-6 with a career-high four RBI. Long was perfect reaching base with a 3-for-3 night with a walk and two hit by pitches.
Long Beach State is back at Peccole Park tomorrow for another matchup with Grand Canyon. First pitch will be at 1 p.m.
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