Long Beach State University Athletics
11/13/2026 10:00:00 AM | Baseball
Three pitchers and two hitters highlight November signees.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State baseball announced the signing of five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent: right-handed pitchers George Hobbins and Damien Nolan, left-handed pitcher Griffin Tagliaferri, catcher Russell Ducharme and outfielder Josh Vargas.
Hobbins, a right-hander from Calgary, Alberta, joins the Dirtbags from Arizona Western College. An experienced pitcher with a plus breaking ball that generates swings and misses, he has a proven ability to miss bats. That, combined with his experience and competitive presence on the mound, positions him to make an immediate impact on the pitching staff from day one.
Nolan, a right-handed pitcher from El Cerrito, Calif., comes to Long Beach from Saint Mary's College. An athletic arm with tremendous versatility, he can contribute in multiple roles on the pitching staff from day one. His athleticism, adaptability and competitive makeup give him the opportunity to make an immediate impact as a freshman while continuing to develop into a significant contributor to the program.
Ducharme is a catcher from Del Oro High School in Loomis, Calif. A physical, game-ready backstop from one of the nation's premier travel baseball programs, he has the talent, experience and advanced skill set to step in and make an immediate impact at the collegiate level. His ability to contribute from day one makes him a valuable addition to the program.
Vargas, a left-handed-hitting outfielder from Estrella Foothills High School in Goodyear, Ariz., has strong Dirtbag and Major League Baseball roots. His father, Jason Vargas, was a member of the 2004 Long Beach State team that reached the Super Regional before the Florida Marlins selected him in the second round of that year's MLB Draft. The elder Vargas went on to a Major League career that spanned 2005 to 2019 and was an American League All-Star in 2017. The younger Vargas brings tremendous offensive upside to the program. His natural power and ability to drive the baseball give him the potential to develop into a legitimate middle-of-the-order run producer and a significant offensive contributor for the Dirtbags.
Tagliaferri, a left-handed pitcher from Long Beach, attended St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower. A talented lefty with tremendous upside, he comes from a championship-caliber program. His potential, combined with his experience in a winning environment, gives him the foundation to develop into a significant contributor to the pitching staff. He also has Dirtbag roots. His father, Jeff Tagliaferri, was a three-year letterwinner for Long Beach State from 1994 to 1996 and was selected in the 22nd round of the 1996 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers. Jeff Tagliaferri later had two stints as a coach at Long Beach State, including working with the hitters on the 1998 staff that went to the College World Series.
The Dirtbags will open the season in February at Blair Field. More schedule details to be revealed soon.
Hobbins, a right-hander from Calgary, Alberta, joins the Dirtbags from Arizona Western College. An experienced pitcher with a plus breaking ball that generates swings and misses, he has a proven ability to miss bats. That, combined with his experience and competitive presence on the mound, positions him to make an immediate impact on the pitching staff from day one.
Nolan, a right-handed pitcher from El Cerrito, Calif., comes to Long Beach from Saint Mary's College. An athletic arm with tremendous versatility, he can contribute in multiple roles on the pitching staff from day one. His athleticism, adaptability and competitive makeup give him the opportunity to make an immediate impact as a freshman while continuing to develop into a significant contributor to the program.
Ducharme is a catcher from Del Oro High School in Loomis, Calif. A physical, game-ready backstop from one of the nation's premier travel baseball programs, he has the talent, experience and advanced skill set to step in and make an immediate impact at the collegiate level. His ability to contribute from day one makes him a valuable addition to the program.
Vargas, a left-handed-hitting outfielder from Estrella Foothills High School in Goodyear, Ariz., has strong Dirtbag and Major League Baseball roots. His father, Jason Vargas, was a member of the 2004 Long Beach State team that reached the Super Regional before the Florida Marlins selected him in the second round of that year's MLB Draft. The elder Vargas went on to a Major League career that spanned 2005 to 2019 and was an American League All-Star in 2017. The younger Vargas brings tremendous offensive upside to the program. His natural power and ability to drive the baseball give him the potential to develop into a legitimate middle-of-the-order run producer and a significant offensive contributor for the Dirtbags.
Tagliaferri, a left-handed pitcher from Long Beach, attended St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower. A talented lefty with tremendous upside, he comes from a championship-caliber program. His potential, combined with his experience in a winning environment, gives him the foundation to develop into a significant contributor to the pitching staff. He also has Dirtbag roots. His father, Jeff Tagliaferri, was a three-year letterwinner for Long Beach State from 1994 to 1996 and was selected in the 22nd round of the 1996 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers. Jeff Tagliaferri later had two stints as a coach at Long Beach State, including working with the hitters on the 1998 staff that went to the College World Series.
The Dirtbags will open the season in February at Blair Field. More schedule details to be revealed soon.
Friday, March 20
Tuesday, July 02
Thursday, June 27
Tuesday, June 25
