Dirtbags Win Battle at Cal State Fullerton to Secure Series

Saturday, May 20

Fullerton, Calif.

5 p.m.

Long Beach State University

30-21, 0

Cal State Fullerton

28-21, 0

Long Beach State

Cal State Fullerton

Photo by: Mikaella Salazar

5/20/2023 8:48:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Long Beach State took an early 5-0 lead and held off the Titans for a 7-4 lead.

By: Collin Robinson, Associate Director of Athletic Communications

FULLERTON, Calif. – An early lead and clutch pitching gave the Dirtbags a 7-4 victory over rival Cal State Fullerton on Saturday night. The win gives Long Beach their third consecutive series victory over the Titans.

The offense wasted no time getting the scoring started thanks to a Connor Burns RBI double in the top of the first for an early Dirtbag lead. The bats kept things going with a four-spot in the top of the second for an early 5-0 lead.

With two runners on, Jashia Morrissey-Jakel sent a line drive down the left field line for a two-RBI double. Two batters later, Jonathon Long launched a two-run homer to right-center to cap off the four-run frame. The home run gives him 24 in his Dirtbags career putting him in a tie for second-most in program history.

JONNY LONG INTO A TIE FOR #2 ON LBSU CAREER HOME RUN LIST@JLong15BB | #skoBags pic.twitter.com/I8UqHFwscA
— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) May 21, 2023

Graham Osman got the game two start and worked through a lot of traffic, but still posted a career-high in strikeouts on the afternoon. Recording 14 outs on the afternoon, 11 came via the strikeout. Suffering a no decision, he allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks.

The traffic continued on the base paths, but the Long Beach bullpen continued to escape jam after jam. The biggest of which came in the seventh. Inheriting runners on the corners, Ethan Clough had a slider run too far in and hit the first batter he faced to load the bases. He responded with a massive strikeout to escape trouble and preserve a one-run lead.

Ring. Him. UP!!!@26Active | #skoBags pic.twitter.com/iXDzjvo7CA
— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) May 21, 2023

Looking to add an insurance run, Jack Hammond came up with a one-out single into center field. Two batters later the Friday night star, Cole Santander, came through with his third RBI extra-base hit of the weekend. Sending a shot to the wall, he ended up on second with an RBI double to make it a two-run lead.

The offense would add another in the top of the ninth to make it 7-4. Sky Wells would enter in the bottom half, record two strikeouts and a popout for his second save of the weekend and fifth of the season.

Long Beach State will be back at Goodwin Field tomorrow for the series finale as they look to complete the sweep of rival Cal State Fullerton. First pitch is at 1 p.m.