Gauchos Rally Past Dirtbags in Big West Opener

Friday, March 6

Santa Barbara, Calif.

4:05 p.m.

Long Beach State University

4-9, 0-1

UC Santa Barbara

10-2, 1-0

Long Beach St.

UC Santa Barbara

3/6/2026 8:49:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

The Long Beach State Dirtbags opened Big West play Friday night with a 4-3 loss to preseason conference favorite UC Santa Barbara on the road despite an early lead and a late push in the ninth inning.

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

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Facing the preseason favorite to win the Big West Conference, the Long Beach State Dirtbags struck first but were unable to hold off a mid-game rally from the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos in a 4-3 loss Friday night at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium to open conference play.

Long Beach State (4-9, 0-1 Big West) jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Trevor Goldenetz singled to center and Reid Montgomery followed with a base hit through the left side before Trotter Enright moved the runners along. Dylan Lina then delivered a two-out single up the middle, bringing home both Goldenetz and Montgomery to give the Dirtbags a 2-0 advantage.

The Gauchos (10-2, 1-0 Big West) broke through in the fifth inning. Colin Beazizo walked and advanced to third after a stolen base and a throwing error before Rowan Kelly lined an RBI single up the middle to cut the deficit to one. Moments later, Cole Kosciusko launched a two-run home run to left field to put UCSB ahead 3-2.

UC Santa Barbara added an insurance run in the sixth inning. Corey Nunez reached base and later scored when Kelly doubled to right field, extending the Gauchos' lead to 4-2.

Long Beach State continued to battle and mounted a late push in the ninth. Camden Gasser led off the inning with a single and Trevor Goldenetz followed with a walk to put two runners aboard. With two outs, Lina delivered again with an RBI single through the left side, scoring Gasser to cut the deficit to one. The Gauchos, however, recorded the final out to secure the series-opening win.

Jake Fields (1-2) took the loss for Long Beach State after allowing three runs on five hits across five innings with five walks and two strikeouts. Alex Ramos allowed one run in relief while Tyler Gebb tossed two scoreless innings to keep the Dirtbags within striking distance.

Jackson Flora earned the win for UC Santa Barbara after allowing two runs across six innings, while AJ Krodel recorded the save.

Dylan Lina paced the Dirtbags offensively with two hits and three RBIs, accounting for all three Long Beach State runs. Camden Gasser finished 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Trevor Goldenetz reached base three times with a hit, two walks and a stolen base. Reid Montgomery also contributed two hits, and a run scored as Long Beach State totaled 10 hits in the contest.

The series continues Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 3:05 p.m. on the road at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.