Dirtbags Break It Open Late to Power Past Islanders, 10-5

Saturday, February 21

Corpus Christi, Texas

6 p.m. CT

Long Beach State University

2-4

Texas A&M - Corpus Christi

4-3

Long Beach State

Texas AM-Corpus Christi

2/21/2026 7:56:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Long Beach State used a four-run eighth inning and a balanced effort at the plate to secure a 10-5 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday at the Kleberg Bank College Classic.

By: Cianna Smith-Andrews, Assistant Director, Athletic Communications

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas —Long Beach State built an early lead and broke the game open with a four-run eighth inning to defeat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 10-5 on Saturday at the Kleberg Bank College Classic.

The Dirtbags took control before recording a hit in the first inning. After loading the bases with a hit batter and two walks, Jake Evans was hit by a pitch to force in the game's first run, and Kaiden Smaka followed with a bases-loaded walk to make it 2-0. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi answered with a run in the bottom half, but Long Beach State added an unearned run in the second when Matt Toomey moved to third on a passed ball and Camden Gasser came home to make it 3-1.

Long Beach State extended the margin to 4-1 in the fourth as Trotter Enright drove a double to right-center to score Gasser. The Islanders closed within 4-3 with two runs in the fifth, but the Dirtbags responded immediately. In the sixth, Smaka and Conner Stewart opened the inning with singles before Trevor Goldenetz delivered a sacrifice fly and Toomey was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to push the lead to 6-3.

The game turned decisively in the eighth. Stewart led off with a single and Gasser walked before Enright lined a two-run double down the left field line. Toomey followed with an RBI double, and Smaka drew another bases-loaded walk to cap a four-run inning and extend the advantage to 10-3.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi scored twice in the ninth, but the Dirtbags closed it out to secure the win.

Luke Howe (1-0) earned the victory, allowing three runs over five innings. Jason Gerfers followed with two scoreless innings, Tyler Gebb worked a clean eighth, and Erick Diez finished the game in the ninth.

Enright paced the Dirtbags offense, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs. Toomey added two RBIs, including a double, while Smaka finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two walks. Stewart collected two hits and scored twice, and Gasser reached base four times via walks and scored a team-high three runs. Goldenetz drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and added a hit as Long Beach State scored 10 runs on nine hits and drew 13 walks.

Long Beach State will conclude the Kleberg Bank College Classic on Sunday at 9 a.m. against Cal State Bakersfield in a non-conference matchup against a Big West opponent they will face later this season.