Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
Cal State Bakersfield
Dirtbags Continue Big West Play With A Road Trip To Bakersfield
3/19/2026 3:22:00 PM | Baseball
Long Beach State takes its three-game winning streak on the road this weekend for a three-game Big West series against California State University, Bakersfield, marking the second meeting between the teams this season and the first in conference play.
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Long Beach State heads to Bakersfield this weekend looking to build on recent momentum after scoring a season-high 16 runs in a midweek win over Loyola Marymount University. The Dirtbags and Roadrunners previously met in tournament play earlier this season, with Bakersfield claiming a 15-2 victory in Corpus Cristi, Texas at the Kleberg Bank College Classic, but this weekend's three-game set opens the first Big West series between the programs in 2026. Friday's opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., followed by a 4 p.m. first pitch Saturday and a 1 p.m. finale Sunday, with all three games streaming on ESPN+.
LEADING OFF
• The 72nd season of Long Beach State baseball continues as the Dirtbags hit the road this weekend with a three-game Big West series against California State University, Bakersfield, marking the second meeting between the programs this season but the first in conference action. The Roadrunners claimed the first matchup 15-2 in Texas during tournament play earlier this season.
• Friday's opener is set for 6:30 p.m., followed by a 4 p.m. first pitch Saturday and a 1 p.m. finale Sunday. All three games will stream on ESPN+
STARTING PITCHERS
• Friday's opener is expected to go to Caleb Anderson, who makes his first start after 11 relief appearances this season. Anderson owns a 6.89 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 15.2 innings.
• Luke Howe takes the ball Saturday after emerging as one of the conference's top freshman starters. Howe enters 3-0 with a 4.02 ERA across five starts, striking out 21 in 31.1 innings while ranking among the Big West leaders in wins.
• Jason Gerfers is lined up for Sunday after earning Big West Pitcher of the Week honors following his complete-game effort against University of Hawai'i at Manoa. Gerfers carries a 4.05 ERA, has struck out 22 in 26.2 innings, and continues to hold opponents to a .209 batting average.
THIS AND THAT
• Long Beach State is ranked sixth in the Big West with a .254 team batting average and eighth in pitching with a 6.41 ERA. Jake Evans ranks fourth in batting average at .397 while also sitting second in slugging percentage at .534. Trevor Goldenetz continues to set the tone at the top of the lineup, ranking fifth in batting average at .394, fifth in on-base production at .516 and fourth in the conference with 28 hits.
• Dylan Lina continues to produce in run-scoring situations, entering the week with five home runs (sixth in the Big West) and 26 RBI (first in the Big West). Trotter Enright has added seven doubles and 16 RBI, while Camden Gasser has become one of the toughest outs in the conference with 24 walks, the highest total in the Big West.
GERFERS COMPLETE GAME
Freshman right-hander Jason Gerfers became the first Dirtbag freshman to throw a complete game since 2022 after going all nine innings in Sunday's 2-1 series-clinching win over Hawai'i. Gerfers allowed just four hits and one earned run while striking out seven over 123 pitches, stranding the tying run at third in the ninth inning. The standout performance earned the freshman righty the teams' first Big West Pitcher of the Week award this season.
FRESHMAN STARTING PITCHERS
• Long Beach State is the only program in the Big West currently featuring two freshman starters in regular weekend roles with Gerfers and Howe both making major contributions early in conference play.
• Gerfers ranks eighth in the Big West in opponent batting average at .209, while Howe has already collected three wins and continues to give the Dirtbags length with five starts of five innings or more.
LAST TIME OUT
• Long Beach State enters the weekend after its most productive offensive performance of the season, scoring 16 runs in a midweek win over Loyola Marymount University. The Dirtbags scored in eight of nine innings, highlighted by Smith Chandler's first home run of the year and a six-run eighth inning fueled by three walks, two hit batters and three run-scoring hits. Tyler Gebb earned his first win of the season as Long Beach State extended its winning streak to three games.
SCOUTING THE ROADRUNNERS
• Cal State Bakersfield enters the weekend batting .272 as a team with 19 home runs through 21 games. Evan Cloyd leads the way at .421 with 32 hits, four home runs and 24 RBI, while Kanoa Morisaki is hitting .380 with six doubles, four home runs and a .740 slugging percentage. Elijah Pelayo adds a .321 average and 27 hits, while Jacob May has scored 21 runs and carries a .296 mark.
• On the mound, Jacob Gutierrez has been one of Bakersfield's most reliable arms, posting a 4.70 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 23 innings and one save. Ethan Minaker owns a 2.65 ERA in seven appearances, while Payton Pudenz has worked to a 3.18 ERA out of the bullpen.
PLAYER NOTES
• Trevor Goldenetz continues to anchor the top of the lineup for the Dirtbags with a .394 average, 28 hits and 14 walks while also adding seven stolen bases and five sacrifice bunts. His .516 on-base percentage has consistently helped Long Beach State create early scoring opportunities.
• Jake Evans has remained one of the conference's most productive bats, hitting .397 with 23 hits, five doubles and a .534 slugging percentage while ranking among the Big West leaders in batting average.
• Trotter Enright continues to produce from the middle of the order, leading the team with eight doubles and 18 RBI while starting all 20 games this season.
• Dylan Lina remains Long Beach State's primary power threat with five home runs and a team-best 26 RBI, carrying a .500 slugging percentage after driving in two more runs during the midweek win over LMU.
• Camden Gasser continues to impact games through plate discipline, leading the team with 24 walks and posting a .492 on-base percentage.
• Matt Toomey has delivered key situational at-bats with five doubles, six RBI, six stolen bases and 11 hit-by-pitches.
• Smith Chandler has made the most of expanded opportunities, batting .333 with 13 hits, a .480 on-base percentage and his first home run of the season in Tuesday's win over LMU.
