Lina’s Early Three-Run Homer Lifts Dirtbags To First Big West Win

Saturday, March 14

Long Beach, Calif.

6:05 p.m.

Long Beach State University

5-13

Hawai'i

10-8

Hawaii

Long Beach State

Lina’s Early Three-Run Homer Lifts Dirtbags To First Big West Win

3/14/2026 9:57:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Dylan Lina’s first-inning three-run homer helped Long Beach State hold off Hawai‘i for a 7-6 win Saturday night and secure its first Big West victory of the season at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field.

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

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Dylan Lina launched his fourth home run of the season in the first inning, a three-run shot that powered Long Beach State to its first Big West win of the season, a 7-6 victory over Hawai'i on Saturday night at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field.

Trevor Goldenetz set the tone from the first at bat, opening the game with a double to the right field wall. Jake Evans advanced Goldenetz to third with a bunt to put runners on the corners. Trotter Enright grounded out to send Goldenetz home, putting the Dirtbags on the scoreboard. With Evans on third, Matt Toomey worked a two-out walk to put runners on first and third Lina drove the first pitch he saw over the left-field wall for his fourth home run this season to give the Dirtbags a 4-0 lead.

Hawai'i answered quickly in the second inning, scoring three runs on four hits, including a two-run single from Jake Redding that cut the lead to 4-3. The Rainbow Warriors tied the game in the third after a sacrifice fly from Draven Nushida and an RBI double by Kody Watanabe made it 5-5.

The Dirtbags responded immediately in the bottom half of the third. Smith Chandler singled and Toomey was hit by a pitch before Lina reached after being hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ty Borgogno then drew a bases-loaded walk to force in the go-ahead run, and Goldenetz was hit by a pitch later in the inning to bring home another run and extend the lead to 7-5.

Enright finished with two RBIs, Goldenetz scored twice and Chandler reached base twice as Long Beach State totaled seven hits.

Luke Howe earned the win after tossing seven innings, allowing five runs while settling in after the early Hawai'i rally and keeping the Rainbow Warriors scoreless from the fourth through seventh innings. Tyler Gebb retired the side in order in the eighth before Alex Ramos recorded his first save of the season in the ninth. Hawai'i pulled within one on Gabe Wright's solo home run, but Ramos struck out Elijah Ickes and recorded the final out to seal the Big West victory.

The Dirtbags and Rainbow Warriors will meet in Sunday's rubber game at 1:05 p.m. at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field, with the game streamed on ESPN+.