Dirtbags Fall Just Short in 8-7 Exhibition Thriller Against Waseda

Tuesday, March 3

Long Beach, Calif.

6:05 p.m.

Long Beach State University

Waseda

Dirtbags Fall Just Short in 8-7 Exhibition Thriller Against Waseda

3/3/2026 10:43:00 PM | Baseball

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

LONG BEACH, Calif. --Long Beach State battled until the final out Tuesday night, but Japan's Waseda University held off the Dirtbags for an 8-7 exhibition victory in an international matchup at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field.

Waseda, competing in its first U.S. tour in three years, struck first with a run in the opening frame before breaking the game open with four runs combined across the sixth and seventh innings.

The Dirtbags answered throughout the night with contributions up and down the lineup. Kaiden Smaka opened the scoring effort for Long Beach State, while Easton Elliot and Gian De Castro each added runs to keep the game within reach. Murchael, Dylan Lina, Reid Montgomery and Trotter Enright also crossed the plate as the Dirtbags showcased depth offensively in the one-run contest.

Japan's Waseda University continued its U.S. tour Tuesday night in Long Beach after previously making stops at Santa Clara University, Stanford University and California State University, Los Angeles. The tour will conclude tomorrow with a final matchup against University of Southern California.

Long Beach State will now shift its focus to a midweek road test, traveling to face San Diego State University Wednesday, March 4, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. against the Aztecs.