Long Beach State University
28-21, 12-12
UC Santa Barbara
32-16, 16-8
Burns’ Career Day Powers Dirtbags to Mother’s Day Victory
5/14/2023 5:02:00 PM | Baseball
Long Beach State took the Sunday rubber match to claim a series win over second-place UC Santa Barbara.
The Gauchos wasted no time getting the scoring started plating two runs in the top of the first for an early lead. After that, Dirtbags' starter Jake Rons settled in nicely retiring eight straight hitters before his day ended in the top of the fourth.
Long Beach responded to the early UCSB runs with a Ty Borgogno RBI single in the bottom of the second for the first run of the afternoon, followed by Burns' first home run of the day in the third. After singles from Nick Marinconz and Jonathon Long put two runners on, Burns launched a shot to left-center for a three-run homer and a 4-2 lead.
Nick Marinconz tacked on another run for the third consecutive inning with an RBI single to right field as the 'Bags jumped out to a three-run lead.
Kellan Montgomery took over for Rons out of the bullpen, inheriting two baserunners in the top of the fourth. After a walk loaded the bases, the freshman got a popout and a strikeout to escape trouble and keep the Gauchos off the board. He ended up throwing 2.2 scoreless innings allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out a pair on the way to earning the victory.
Fast forward to the seventh, Burns stepped to the plate once again launching a two-run homer to left field. It goes as the first multi-homer game of his career and moves him into a tie for the team-lead with 12 home runs on the season.
After scoring a run in the top of the eighth, UCSB would attempt a ninth inning rally with a leadoff double and two walks loading the bases. Sky Wells was called upon looking for the final out, recording a strikeout to end the ballgame and secure the Dirtbags' series victory.
Burns went 3-for-5 at the plate with his first multi-home run game as well as a single and a walk.. He also tied his career-highs with three runs scored and five RBI on the afternoon.
Jonathon Long had a three-hit effort as well, going 3-for-4 with a hit by pitch and two runs scored. Ty Borgogno and Nick Marinconz each recorded two-hit days and an RBI in the eight and nine spots of the lineup, respectively.
The Dirtbags will hit the road next weekend for their final road series of the season. It will be rivalry week as they take on first-place Cal State Fullerton.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Montgomery, Kellan (3-4)
L: JD Callahan (2-1)
S: Wells, Sky (3)
Batting:
2B: Christian Kirtley 1
RBI: Zander Darby 1 ; John Newman, Jr. 1 ; Justin Trimble 1
SH: Broc Mortensen 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Broc Mortensen 1 ; Ivan Brethowr 1 ; John Newman, Jr. 1
SB: Ivan Brethowr 1
HBP: Broc Mortensen 1 ; John Newman, Jr. 1
Batting:
HR: Burns, Connor 2
RBI: Burns, Connor 5 ; Borgogno, Ty 1 ; Marinconz, Nick 1
SH: Champagne, Alex 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Champagne, Alex 1 ; Long, Jonathon 2 ; Burns, Connor 3 ; Ashworth, Kyle 1
CS: Borgogno, Ty 1
HBP: Long, Jonathon 1 ; Morrissey-Jakel, Jashia 2
PO: Borgogno, Ty 1
