Gauchos Complete Sweep Over Dirtbags in Big West Opening Series

Sunday, March 8

Santa Barbara, Calif.

1:05 p.m.

Long Beach State University

4-11, 0-3

UC Santa Barbara

12-2, 3-0

Long Beach St.

UC Santa Barbara

Gauchos Complete Sweep Over Dirtbags in Big West Opening Series

3/8/2026 5:01:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

The Long Beach State Dirtbags took an early lead Sunday afternoon but UC Santa Barbara used a four-run middle stretch and late insurance to secure a 6-2 victory and complete the three-game sweep in the Big West opening series at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.

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

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Long Beach State Dirtbags (4-11, 0-3 Big West) scored first but were unable to hold off a mid-game surge from UC Santa Barbara (12-2, 3-0 Big West), falling 6-2 in the series finale Sunday afternoon at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.

Long Beach State opened the scoring in the third inning. Trevor Goldenetz singled and Jake Evans followed with another base hit before both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Trotter Enright then lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, bringing home Goldenetz to give the Dirtbags a 1-0 lead.

The Dirtbags extended the lead in the fourth inning when Aaron Perez launched a solo home run to right-center field, putting Long Beach State ahead 2-0.

UC Santa Barbara responded in the bottom half of the fourth. Jonathan Mendez singled and Nick Husovsky reached base before Noah Karliner lined an RBI single to center to cut the deficit to one. With the bases loaded, Nate Vargas was hit by a pitch to force in the tying run.

The Gauchos took control in the fifth inning. Colin Beazizo singled and Cole Kosciusko followed with a walk before Nick Husovsky loaded the bases with a single. After a popout for the second out, Noah Karliner was hit by a pitch to force in Beazizo for the go-ahead run. William Vasseur then lined an RBI single to right field to score Kosciusko, extending UC Santa Barbara's lead to 4-2 while Husovsky was thrown out at the plate trying to score.

UCSB added another run in the sixth inning as Corey Nunez came around to score on a wild pitch to push the advantage to 5-2. The Gauchos added one more in the eighth when Nunez tripled and later scored on a balk.

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

Freshman right-hander Jason Gerfers provided a solid start for the Dirtbags, working 3.2 innings while allowing two runs on four hits and striking out four. Gerfers kept UC Santa Barbara off the board through the first three innings and helped Long Beach State build an early lead. Hogan Shelby (1-1) took the loss in relief after allowing two runs in the fifth inning. Tyler Gebb followed with an inning of work, striking out two while allowing one run, and Alex Ramos closed the game with two strong innings, allowing just one hit while striking out three.

Trevor Goldenetz led the Dirtbags offense with three hits and a run scored, while Jake Evans added two hits at the top of the lineup. Aaron Perez finished with two hits including a solo home run, and Trotter Enright drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Long Beach State collected eight hits in the contest.

The Dirtbags will return to action Tuesday, March 10, when they travel to face USC in a midweek matchup scheduled for 6 p.m. Long Beach State will then return home to Bohl Diamond at Blair Field to host Hawaii beginning March 13, with first pitch for the series opener set for 6:05 p.m.