Gerfers Leads Dirtbags To Road Win At Cal State Bakersfield

Sunday, March 22

Bakersfield, Calif.

1 p.m.

Long Beach State University

8-15, 3-6

Cal State Bakersfield

9-15, 3-6

Long Beach State

CSU Bakersfield

3/22/2026 5:53:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

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

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Long Beach State used another dominant complete-game effort from Jason Gerfers on Sunday, as the Dirtbags defeated Cal State Bakersfield 5-1 to secure the final game of the weekend series and avoid a sweep.

Gerfers delivered his second complete game in as many weekend starts, limiting Cal State Bakersfield to one run on four hits while striking out 12 and walking five across nine innings. The freshman right-hander retired the side in order in the first, then stranded runners in both the second and third.

Long Beach State broke through in the third with its biggest inning of the series. Aaron Perez opened the frame with a single to left. After one out, Damon Valdez singled to right center, moving Perez to third. Trevor Goldenetz then drove in the first run with a single that skipped past right field for an error, allowing Perez to score while Valdez advanced to third and Goldenetz moved to second. Smith Chandler followed with an RBI single to left that scored Valdez. Trotter Enright added another RBI single to right, bringing home Goldenetz and sending Chandler to third. After the pitching change, Dylan Lina lifted a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Chandler and capped the four-run inning for a 4-0 lead.

Cal State Bakersfield tried to spark a comeback in the fourth when Devon Wilkes homered to right field, but Gerfers quickly regained control. He stranded two runners in that inning, then retired 10 of the next 11 batters he faced while recording six strikeouts from the sixth through the eighth innings.

Long Beach State threatened several times after the third. Kaiden Smaka singled and later stole second in the fourth, while the Dirtbags loaded the bases in the eighth after walks from Lina and Ty Borgogno, but Bakersfield escaped both innings without further damage.

The Dirtbags added insurance in the ninth after Goldenetz drew a leadoff walk. Enright also drew a walk to put Goldenetz in scoring position. Next, Goldenetz advanced to third on a wild pitch. Lina was intentionally walked to load the bases before Reid Montgomery lifted a sacrifice fly to center, bringing home Goldenetz for the final score, 5-1.

Valdez finished 2-4 to lead Long Beach State's seven-hit effort, while Goldenetz scored twice and drove in one. Chandler and Enright each added an RBI hit during the decisive third inning, and the Dirtbags drew eight walks overall to keep pressure on Bakersfield's pitching throughout the afternoon.

Gerfers closed the door in the ninth after allowing a one-out double, striking out Elijah Pelayo and Christian Lopez to end the game and secure his second win and second complete game of the season.

Long Beach State continues its road trip on Monday with a non-conference matchup in Fresno against the Fresno State Bulldogs. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.