Late Washington State Rally Lifts Cougars Past Dirtbags, 9-7

Sunday, March 1

Long Beach, Calif.

12:05 p.m.

Long Beach State University

4-7

Washington State

5-6

Washington State

Long Beach State

Late Washington State Rally Lifts Cougars Past Dirtbags, 9-7

3/1/2026 4:11:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Long Beach State erased a multi-run deficit to tie the game in the seventh, but a two-run eighth inning from Washington State proved to be the difference in a 9-7 loss Sunday at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field.

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

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Long Beach State dropped a 9-7 decision to Washington State on Sunday afternoon at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field, closing out the Dirtbags' weekend series against Washington State and BYU.

The Cougars opened the scoreboard in the third inning, using a two-out rally to take a 2-0 lead. Dustin Robinson tripled to deep left to score Max Hartman before Mason Pirello followed with an RBI single to left. The Dirtbags answered immediately in the bottom half. Camden Gasser singled and came around to score on Trevor Goldenetz's RBI triple to right, and Smith Chandler tied the game at 2-2 with a single to deep center field.

Washington State created separation in the fifth. After a one-out walk, Pirello sent a run home with a double and Ryan Skjonsby added an RBI single. Gavin Roy capped the four-run inning with a two-run single to extend the Cougars lead 6-2. Long Beach State chipped away in the bottom of the frame, loading the bases and scoring on a Dylan Lina RBI walk to cut the deficit to 6-3.

The Cougars added an unearned run in the sixth on Pirello's RBI single, but the Dirtbags answered with a three-run inning of their own. Jake Evans started the rally with a single through the right side and moved into scoring position after Kaiden Smaka walked. Both runners advanced on a failed pickoff attempt and throwing error, putting Evans at third and Smaka at second. Damon Valdez then delivered a two-run single to center, scoring Evans from third and Smaka from second to cut the deficit to 7-5. Later in the inning, Trotter Enright singled home Valdez, who advanced on the previous hit, to bring Long Beach State within one, 7-6.

Long Beach State offense battled to even the score in the seventh. Evans walked and eventually scored on a wild pitch, tying the game at 7-7 and setting up a tight finish.

Washington State reclaimed the lead in the eighth after the Dirtbags turned to Caleb Anderson out of the bullpen. Trevor Smith opened the inning with a groundout before Kyler Northrop reached on a throwing error by shortstop Trotter Enright. Max Hartman followed with a single to right field, moving Northrop to third and putting runners at the corners. After a mound visit, Dustin Robinson was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Mason Pirello then struck out swinging for the second out, but Ryan Skjonsby came through with a two-run single to center, scoring Northrop from third and Hartman from second to give the Cougars a 9-7 advantage.

The Dirtbags were unable to answer in the final two frames as Washington State's August Richie recorded the final six outs for the save.

Jason Gerfers started on the mound for Long Beach State and worked 4.2 innings, allowing five runs on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Van Larson recorded one out in relief, while Tyler Gebb provided two innings and allowed just one unearned run with three strikeouts. Caleb Anderson (0-1) took the loss after surrendering two runs in the eighth, and Ka'imi Kahalekai tossed a scoreless ninth.

Offensively, Goldenetz led the Dirtbags with two hits, including a triple, while Valdez drove in two runs. Evans scored twice as Long Beach State totaled eight hits and drew seven walks in the contest.

Next, Long Beach State will host Waseda University of Japan in a midweek exhibition at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field Tuesday March 3,at 6:05 p.m. before heading on the road Wednesday for its final nonconference matchup at San Diego State in San Diego.