Friday, May 19
Fullerton, Calif.
6 p.m.
Long Beach State University
at
Cal State Fullerton
Photo by: Mikaella Salazar
Dirtbags Set for Rivalry Weekend at Cal State Fullerton
5/17/2023 11:56:00 AM | Baseball
Long Beach State will play their penultimate weekend against the league-leading Titans.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State is set for their penultimate weekend of the season as they head to long-time rival and league-leading Cal State Fullerton for a weekend series. It will be the Dirtbags' final road games of the year as well.
Long Beach State (28-21, 12-12 Big West) vs. Cal State Fullerton (28-19, 17-7 Big West)
Friday, May 19
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Goodwin Field (Fullerton, Calif.)
Live Stats | Watch on ESPN+
Saturday, May 20
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Goodwin Field (Fullerton, Calif.)
Live Stats | Watch on ESPN+
Sunday, May 21
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Goodwin Field (Fullerton, Calif.)
Live Stats | Watch on ESPN+
ABOUT THE 'BAGS
• The Dirtbags own a 28-21 overall record and 12-12 mark in conference play after taking two of three from pre-season favorite UC Santa Barbara this past weekend. The 'Bags remain in seventh in the conference, five games back of first place with six games to play.
• The offense owns a .267/.352/.427 slash line with 307 runs scored in their 49 games. Of their 452 hits, 155 have gone for extra bases. Their 54 home runs ranks second in the Big West.
• The pitching staff now owns a 4.57 team ERA with a 1.41 WHIP. In 439 innings of work, they have racked up 476 strikeouts compared to 172 walks. Their five shutouts on the season ranks 12th in the nation
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 439 innings this year, they have 476 strikeouts which is good for a 9.8 K/9 second in the conference and 39th in the nation. That mark would be the highest in program history. They are also on-pace to surpass the 500-strikeout mark for the season for the sixth time in LBSU history.
IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
• More than strikeouts, the pitching staff continues to put up numbers among the nation's best under Coach Valenzuela's leadership.
• Their highest marks come as the number 12 team in shutouts (5) and strikeouts per nine (2.77). They also rank 25th in walks per nine (3.52), 38th in ERA (4.57), and 39th in strikeouts per nine (9.8) to round out their top 50 marks.
• Offensively, the bats are 30th in sacrifice flies (29) and 69th in sacrifice bunts (25) while the defense's .973 ranks 97th in the NCAA.
POWER SURGE
• The Long Beach offense has put up some impressive numbers this year, resulting in one of the best offensive seasons in over a decade.
• The biggest standout of it all is the power numbers as their 54 home runs ranks third most in single-season history and most since 1999. Their .427 slugging percentage is also the highest for a full 50-plus game season since 1999.
• This season, the 'Bags have recorded 282 RBI, marking the most since 2010. With 18 more, they will eclipse 300 for the first time since 2008.
SCOUTING THE TITANS
• Cal State Fullerton has surprised everyone this season and currently sits atop the Big West standings. They own a 28-19 overall record and a 17-7 mark in Big West play. However, they have lost six consecutive games.
• Their offense owns a .269/.370/.396 slash line with 30 home runs and 290 runs scored in their 47 games played. Their 103 doubles lead the league while their 226 walks ranks second. Otherwise, they are in the lower half of the conference ranks in almost every offensive category.
• As a staff, the pitching owns a 5.14 team ERA with a .283 batting average against. In 424 innings, they own 414 strikeouts opposed by just 197 walks. Similar to the offense, the Titans do not standout in any of the statistical categories.
THE RIVALRY
• Long Beach State has not played anyone more than Cal State Fullerton in their storied history, totaling over 250 games against each other. The first meeting came back in 1964 and up until COVID, featured both a conference and non-conference series.
• In the all-time series, Long Beach trails it 99-160 and 72-100 in the Dirtbag era. When playing at Goodwin Field, the 'Bags are 46-79.
• Since Coach Valenzuela took over at the helm, however, it has been the Dirtbags leading the way with a 5-2 record in the seven meetings. In 2021, the 'Bags took three of four in Fullerton and then followed up with two of three at Blair last year.
NASTY NICO
• Nico Zeglin has also been a revelation in the Dirtbags weekend rotation and turned himself into a strikeout machine since transferring to LBSU.
• Against the best offense in the Big West and pre-season favorite UC Santa Barbara, the right-hander tossed a 99-pitch complete game shutout with 10 strikeouts. He allowed just five baserunners, all of which came in the first three innings. After a 1-out walk in the top of the third, he retired the final 20 Gauchos he faced to go the distance.
• He went on to be named the National Pitcher of the Week by D1Baseball/NCAA as well as the Big West Pitcher of the Week, his second award.
• He currently ranks sixth in the nation in strikeouts (104), 12th in ERA (2.21), 13th in WHIP (1.00), and 26th in hits per nine (6.42).
JONNY LONG-BALLS
• Jonathon Long continues to torment baseballs this season leading the team in average, on-base percentage, hits, doubles, home runs, RBI, walks, and total bases. In his draft-eligible season, he is etching his name into the Long Beach State record books.
• Tying for the team-lead with 12 bombs this season, he now owns 23 in his collegiate career putting him in third in program history. One more will tie him for second-most all-time with six games to play.
• He also ranks seventh in career slugging percentage (.536) and 15th in on-base percentage (.410).
FEEL THE BURN
• Connor Burns is widely regarded as one of the best defensive catchers in the country and has the accolades to prove it as the reigning Big West Defensive Player of the Year and a Gold Glove finalist in 2022. This year, he has the offense to go with it and is rapidly increasing his draft stock.
• Continuing his career-best year, he now owns a .299 season average and .366 on-base percentage. He leads the team with a .593 slug and is teid for the team lead with 12 home runs. He also ranks second in average, doubles, triples, and RBI.
• Behind the dish, he owns a .990 fielding percentage with career-highs in putouts and assists. He also has thrown out 15 would-be base stealers of 30 attempts. In his three years as a Dirtbag, he owns a 49.3% rate throwing out 36 of a potential 73 baserunners.
THE BASH BROTHERS
• Long Beach State has seen a power surge this season and it has been headlined by the dynamic duo of Jonathon Long and Connor Burns. Togehter, they rank one-two in average, slugging percentage, doubles, home runs, and total bases.
• With each of them launching 12 home runs on the year, they are the first Long Beach duo to have double-digit homers since the 1999 season when Jaime Leal and Greg Dobbs combined for 34.
CARLOS IN CONFERENCE
• Senior Jonathan Carlos has been the most reliable arm out of the bullpen for the Dirtbags this conference season leading the team in ERA among pitchers who have not made a start.
• Making seven appearances in Big West games, he has thrown 17 innings and posted a 2.65 ERA. Prior to his outing against CSU Bakersfield, he had gone 10 consecutive conference innings without allowing an earned run.
HAMMOND HAMMERS
• Jack Hammond transferred to Long Beach State after spending his first collegiate season at the University of Kansas and his been one of the best power hitters in the lineup.
• In 131 at-bats, he has launched eight home runs, three of which have been game-winning bombs. He ranks second on the team hitting a homer every 6.25 at-bats while his total is third most on the team.
• The redshirt sophomore is currently riding an 11-game reached base streak where he's slashing .351/.435/.703 with a team-high four homers and 12 runs scored.
CLOUGH'S DOMINANCE
• Ethan Clough's numbers might not look great on the surface, but they are inflated due to a bad outing at UC San Diego. Since that appearance, the senior has been a go-to arm out of the bullpen.
• Making 11 appearances, the right-hander has totaled 10.2 innings allowing just two earned runs. Owning a 1.69 ERA, hitters are hitting just .231 against him and has not allowed an earned run in his last 6.1 frames.
WEEKLY HONORS GALORE
• Nobody in the league has garnered more Big West weekly honors than the Dirtbags this season totaling four Pitchers of the Week and three Players of the Week. The next closest team is UC Santa Barbara with five combined between the two awards.
• Nico's second of the season gives the 'Bags seven total, matching their number from last season and Nico is now the only pitcher in the conference to receive multiple.
NATIONAL HONORS
• Jonathon Long was named National Player of the Week by Collegiate Baseball on April 3 after slashing .444/.500/1.167 with a double, four home runs, four runs scored, and six RBI.
• Nico Zeglin makes it a pairing for national weekly honors after tossing a 99-pitch, complete game shutout of UCSB with 10 strikeouts to garner D1Baseball's National Pitcher of the Week award.
• In program history, there have been 10 Dirtbags to earn national weekly recognition now. Long is just the second Dirtbag position player to earn national honors and first since Jeff Jones in 2001.
Full Game Notes
Long Beach State (28-21, 12-12 Big West) vs. Cal State Fullerton (28-19, 17-7 Big West)
Friday, May 19
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Goodwin Field (Fullerton, Calif.)
Live Stats | Watch on ESPN+
Saturday, May 20
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Goodwin Field (Fullerton, Calif.)
Live Stats | Watch on ESPN+
Sunday, May 21
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Goodwin Field (Fullerton, Calif.)
Live Stats | Watch on ESPN+
ABOUT THE 'BAGS
• The Dirtbags own a 28-21 overall record and 12-12 mark in conference play after taking two of three from pre-season favorite UC Santa Barbara this past weekend. The 'Bags remain in seventh in the conference, five games back of first place with six games to play.
• The offense owns a .267/.352/.427 slash line with 307 runs scored in their 49 games. Of their 452 hits, 155 have gone for extra bases. Their 54 home runs ranks second in the Big West.
• The pitching staff now owns a 4.57 team ERA with a 1.41 WHIP. In 439 innings of work, they have racked up 476 strikeouts compared to 172 walks. Their five shutouts on the season ranks 12th in the nation
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 439 innings this year, they have 476 strikeouts which is good for a 9.8 K/9 second in the conference and 39th in the nation. That mark would be the highest in program history. They are also on-pace to surpass the 500-strikeout mark for the season for the sixth time in LBSU history.
IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
• More than strikeouts, the pitching staff continues to put up numbers among the nation's best under Coach Valenzuela's leadership.
• Their highest marks come as the number 12 team in shutouts (5) and strikeouts per nine (2.77). They also rank 25th in walks per nine (3.52), 38th in ERA (4.57), and 39th in strikeouts per nine (9.8) to round out their top 50 marks.
• Offensively, the bats are 30th in sacrifice flies (29) and 69th in sacrifice bunts (25) while the defense's .973 ranks 97th in the NCAA.
POWER SURGE
• The Long Beach offense has put up some impressive numbers this year, resulting in one of the best offensive seasons in over a decade.
• The biggest standout of it all is the power numbers as their 54 home runs ranks third most in single-season history and most since 1999. Their .427 slugging percentage is also the highest for a full 50-plus game season since 1999.
• This season, the 'Bags have recorded 282 RBI, marking the most since 2010. With 18 more, they will eclipse 300 for the first time since 2008.
SCOUTING THE TITANS
• Cal State Fullerton has surprised everyone this season and currently sits atop the Big West standings. They own a 28-19 overall record and a 17-7 mark in Big West play. However, they have lost six consecutive games.
• Their offense owns a .269/.370/.396 slash line with 30 home runs and 290 runs scored in their 47 games played. Their 103 doubles lead the league while their 226 walks ranks second. Otherwise, they are in the lower half of the conference ranks in almost every offensive category.
• As a staff, the pitching owns a 5.14 team ERA with a .283 batting average against. In 424 innings, they own 414 strikeouts opposed by just 197 walks. Similar to the offense, the Titans do not standout in any of the statistical categories.
THE RIVALRY
• Long Beach State has not played anyone more than Cal State Fullerton in their storied history, totaling over 250 games against each other. The first meeting came back in 1964 and up until COVID, featured both a conference and non-conference series.
• In the all-time series, Long Beach trails it 99-160 and 72-100 in the Dirtbag era. When playing at Goodwin Field, the 'Bags are 46-79.
• Since Coach Valenzuela took over at the helm, however, it has been the Dirtbags leading the way with a 5-2 record in the seven meetings. In 2021, the 'Bags took three of four in Fullerton and then followed up with two of three at Blair last year.
NASTY NICO
• Nico Zeglin has also been a revelation in the Dirtbags weekend rotation and turned himself into a strikeout machine since transferring to LBSU.
• Against the best offense in the Big West and pre-season favorite UC Santa Barbara, the right-hander tossed a 99-pitch complete game shutout with 10 strikeouts. He allowed just five baserunners, all of which came in the first three innings. After a 1-out walk in the top of the third, he retired the final 20 Gauchos he faced to go the distance.
• He went on to be named the National Pitcher of the Week by D1Baseball/NCAA as well as the Big West Pitcher of the Week, his second award.
• He currently ranks sixth in the nation in strikeouts (104), 12th in ERA (2.21), 13th in WHIP (1.00), and 26th in hits per nine (6.42).
JONNY LONG-BALLS
• Jonathon Long continues to torment baseballs this season leading the team in average, on-base percentage, hits, doubles, home runs, RBI, walks, and total bases. In his draft-eligible season, he is etching his name into the Long Beach State record books.
• Tying for the team-lead with 12 bombs this season, he now owns 23 in his collegiate career putting him in third in program history. One more will tie him for second-most all-time with six games to play.
• He also ranks seventh in career slugging percentage (.536) and 15th in on-base percentage (.410).
FEEL THE BURN
• Connor Burns is widely regarded as one of the best defensive catchers in the country and has the accolades to prove it as the reigning Big West Defensive Player of the Year and a Gold Glove finalist in 2022. This year, he has the offense to go with it and is rapidly increasing his draft stock.
• Continuing his career-best year, he now owns a .299 season average and .366 on-base percentage. He leads the team with a .593 slug and is teid for the team lead with 12 home runs. He also ranks second in average, doubles, triples, and RBI.
• Behind the dish, he owns a .990 fielding percentage with career-highs in putouts and assists. He also has thrown out 15 would-be base stealers of 30 attempts. In his three years as a Dirtbag, he owns a 49.3% rate throwing out 36 of a potential 73 baserunners.
THE BASH BROTHERS
• Long Beach State has seen a power surge this season and it has been headlined by the dynamic duo of Jonathon Long and Connor Burns. Togehter, they rank one-two in average, slugging percentage, doubles, home runs, and total bases.
• With each of them launching 12 home runs on the year, they are the first Long Beach duo to have double-digit homers since the 1999 season when Jaime Leal and Greg Dobbs combined for 34.
CARLOS IN CONFERENCE
• Senior Jonathan Carlos has been the most reliable arm out of the bullpen for the Dirtbags this conference season leading the team in ERA among pitchers who have not made a start.
• Making seven appearances in Big West games, he has thrown 17 innings and posted a 2.65 ERA. Prior to his outing against CSU Bakersfield, he had gone 10 consecutive conference innings without allowing an earned run.
HAMMOND HAMMERS
• Jack Hammond transferred to Long Beach State after spending his first collegiate season at the University of Kansas and his been one of the best power hitters in the lineup.
• In 131 at-bats, he has launched eight home runs, three of which have been game-winning bombs. He ranks second on the team hitting a homer every 6.25 at-bats while his total is third most on the team.
• The redshirt sophomore is currently riding an 11-game reached base streak where he's slashing .351/.435/.703 with a team-high four homers and 12 runs scored.
CLOUGH'S DOMINANCE
• Ethan Clough's numbers might not look great on the surface, but they are inflated due to a bad outing at UC San Diego. Since that appearance, the senior has been a go-to arm out of the bullpen.
• Making 11 appearances, the right-hander has totaled 10.2 innings allowing just two earned runs. Owning a 1.69 ERA, hitters are hitting just .231 against him and has not allowed an earned run in his last 6.1 frames.
WEEKLY HONORS GALORE
• Nobody in the league has garnered more Big West weekly honors than the Dirtbags this season totaling four Pitchers of the Week and three Players of the Week. The next closest team is UC Santa Barbara with five combined between the two awards.
• Nico's second of the season gives the 'Bags seven total, matching their number from last season and Nico is now the only pitcher in the conference to receive multiple.
NATIONAL HONORS
• Jonathon Long was named National Player of the Week by Collegiate Baseball on April 3 after slashing .444/.500/1.167 with a double, four home runs, four runs scored, and six RBI.
• Nico Zeglin makes it a pairing for national weekly honors after tossing a 99-pitch, complete game shutout of UCSB with 10 strikeouts to garner D1Baseball's National Pitcher of the Week award.
• In program history, there have been 10 Dirtbags to earn national weekly recognition now. Long is just the second Dirtbag position player to earn national honors and first since Jeff Jones in 2001.
Full Game Notes
Players Mentioned
C
/ Baseball
P
/ Baseball
P
/ Baseball
UTL
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
P
/ BaseballFriends Welcoming TJ Bruce to the Beach
Tuesday, July 02
Dirtbags Baseball Head coach TJ Bruce Welcome Celebration
Thursday, June 27
Dirtbags Baseball: Head coach TJ Bruce Welcome Celebration
Tuesday, June 25
Dirtbags Baseball Game Highlights vs UC Riverside 4/19/2024
Saturday, April 20
