Long Beach State University Athletics
Dirtbags Open 2026 Season at Blair Field Against San Jose State
2/12/2026 1:01:00 PM | Baseball
Long Beach State begins its 2026 season this weekend at Blair Field, hosting San Jose State in a three-game Opening Weekend series that includes the unveiling of the new Bohl Annex Pitching Lab.
WHAT'S COMING UP FOR THE DIRTBAGS
GAME 1
San Jose State (0-0) at Long Beach State (0-0)
Friday, Feb. 13 • 6 p.m.
Long Beach, Calif. • Blair Field
Probable Starting Pitchers • Jason Gerfers (LBSU) vs. Kyle Calzadiaz (SJSU)
GAME 2
San Jose State at Long Beach State
Saturday, Feb. 14 • 6 p.m.
Long Beach, Calif. • Blair Field
Probable Starting Pitchers • TBD (LBSU) vs. David Thomas (SJSU)
GAME 3
San Jose State at Long Beach State
Sunday, Feb. 15 • 1 p.m.
Long Beach, Calif. • Blair Field
Probable Starting Pitchers • Luke Howe (LBSU) vs. TDB (SJSU)
FIRST PITCH
The 72nd season of Long Beach State baseball begins this weekend when the Dirtbags host San Jose State for Opening Day at Blair Field.
Friday's opener is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. There will be a pregame ribbon cutting ceremony where Athletic Director Bobby Smitheran will unveil the Bohl Annex Pitching Lab through the generosity and giving from Marilyn Bohl. Also, 2026 schedule posters will be available to all fans in attendance.
Saturday's first pitch is set for 6 p.m. Sunday's series closer will begin at 1p.m. Sunday will also be the first Bark in the Park of the season, where fans can bring their dogs to the game.
Friday and Sunday's games will both be streamed on ESPN+ with Matt Brown and Cody Yates on the call.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
San Jose State went 29-30 overall, 13-17 in the Mountain West in 2025.
Friday's starting pitcher for the Spartans, Kyle Calzadiaz, was named to the 2026 preseason Mountain West All-Conference Team. Calzadiaz made eight starts in 15 appearances last season for SJSU with a 2-2 record with one save. He struck out 56 and held opponents to a .225 batting average on the season and had a 3.15 ERA.
Saturday's starter, David Thomas appeared and started in 14 for the Spartans in 2025. Thomas pitched 74.1 innings on the season which was the most on the team. He recorded 51 strikeouts with two wins.
HISTORY AGAINST THE SPARTANS
Long Beach State and San Jose State are playing each other for the first time since 2016. The Dirtbags lead the all-time record against them with a 35-32-1 record, 19-10-1 at home.
The last time these two programs played Long Beach State tallied 3 wins over the Spartans at home. The series from May 13-15, 2016 was won by the Dirtbags 6-2, 2-0, and 6-2.
THE SCHEDULE
Long Beach State's 53-game schedule features 30 Big West Conference games. 23 non-conference games will be against opponents from seven different conferences: Mountain West (4), West Coast (2), Southland (1), Big 10 (1), Big 12 (1), WAC (1), Independent (1), and International (Japan).
GAME 1
San Jose State (0-0) at Long Beach State (0-0)
Friday, Feb. 13 • 6 p.m.
Long Beach, Calif. • Blair Field
Probable Starting Pitchers • Jason Gerfers (LBSU) vs. Kyle Calzadiaz (SJSU)
GAME 2
San Jose State at Long Beach State
Saturday, Feb. 14 • 6 p.m.
Long Beach, Calif. • Blair Field
Probable Starting Pitchers • TBD (LBSU) vs. David Thomas (SJSU)
GAME 3
San Jose State at Long Beach State
Sunday, Feb. 15 • 1 p.m.
Long Beach, Calif. • Blair Field
Probable Starting Pitchers • Luke Howe (LBSU) vs. TDB (SJSU)
FIRST PITCH
The 72nd season of Long Beach State baseball begins this weekend when the Dirtbags host San Jose State for Opening Day at Blair Field.
Friday's opener is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. There will be a pregame ribbon cutting ceremony where Athletic Director Bobby Smitheran will unveil the Bohl Annex Pitching Lab through the generosity and giving from Marilyn Bohl. Also, 2026 schedule posters will be available to all fans in attendance.
Saturday's first pitch is set for 6 p.m. Sunday's series closer will begin at 1p.m. Sunday will also be the first Bark in the Park of the season, where fans can bring their dogs to the game.
Friday and Sunday's games will both be streamed on ESPN+ with Matt Brown and Cody Yates on the call.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
San Jose State went 29-30 overall, 13-17 in the Mountain West in 2025.
Friday's starting pitcher for the Spartans, Kyle Calzadiaz, was named to the 2026 preseason Mountain West All-Conference Team. Calzadiaz made eight starts in 15 appearances last season for SJSU with a 2-2 record with one save. He struck out 56 and held opponents to a .225 batting average on the season and had a 3.15 ERA.
Saturday's starter, David Thomas appeared and started in 14 for the Spartans in 2025. Thomas pitched 74.1 innings on the season which was the most on the team. He recorded 51 strikeouts with two wins.
HISTORY AGAINST THE SPARTANS
Long Beach State and San Jose State are playing each other for the first time since 2016. The Dirtbags lead the all-time record against them with a 35-32-1 record, 19-10-1 at home.
The last time these two programs played Long Beach State tallied 3 wins over the Spartans at home. The series from May 13-15, 2016 was won by the Dirtbags 6-2, 2-0, and 6-2.
THE SCHEDULE
Long Beach State's 53-game schedule features 30 Big West Conference games. 23 non-conference games will be against opponents from seven different conferences: Mountain West (4), West Coast (2), Southland (1), Big 10 (1), Big 12 (1), WAC (1), Independent (1), and International (Japan).
Players Mentioned
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