Long Beach State University Athletics
Friday, April 24
Davis, Calif.
6 p.m.
Long Beach State University
13-28, 0
5
at
3
UC Davis
18-22, 0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Beach State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 1 |
| UC Davis | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 2 |
Dirtbags Rally Late To Take Series Opener Over UC Davis, 5-3
4/24/2026 9:54:00 PM | Baseball
Long Beach State scores three late runs to secure road win.
DAVIS, Calif. -- Long Beach State used a late-game surge to defeat UC Davis 5-3 in the series opener, overcoming an early deficit behind timely hitting and strong pitching down the stretch.
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UC Davis struck first in the second inning as Eli Murphy singled and moved to second on a base hit by Logan McNeal. With two aboard, Cole Lee reached on an error at third base, allowing Murphy to score from second for an unearned run and a 1-0 Aggies lead.
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The Aggies added to their lead in the fourth. Tyler Johnson doubled into left field to put a runner in scoring position, and Lee followed with a single to center, bringing Johnson home from second to make it 2-0.
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Long Beach State answered in the fifth inning. Damon Valdez singled and Trotter Enright followed with a base hit to put runners on first and second. After a sacrifice bunt moved both into scoring position, Matt Toomey delivered a clutch single to right field, driving in both runners, Valdez from third and Enright from second, to tie the game at 2-2.
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UC Davis regained the lead in the sixth. McNeal singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch before Lee came through again with a single to left-center, scoring McNeal from second to give the Aggies a 3-2 edge.
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The Dirtbags responded in the eighth with a decisive rally. Murchael Turner opened the inning with a single and advanced to third after a throwing error and a sacrifice bunt sequence put runners on second and third. Camden Gasser grounded out to second, allowing Turner to score from third and tie the game at 3-3. Moments later, Valdez delivered another key hit with a single to right field, bringing home the go-ahead run from third as Aaron Perez crossed the plate to give Long Beach State a 4-3 lead.
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Long Beach State added an insurance run in the ninth. Toomey walked and moved into scoring position before a sacrifice bunt attempt by Reid Montgomery resulted in an error, allowing Toomey to score from second and extend the lead to 5-3.
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On the mound, the Dirtbags bullpen closed the door late, stranding multiple UC Davis baserunners over the final two innings to secure the win.
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Perez led the way with three hits and one run scored while Toomey had two RBIs. Valdez recorded two hits and drove in a run, Lina also recorded two hits. On the mound, the pitching staff combined to limit UC Davis to three runs, with key strikeouts in the eighth and ninth innings preserving the lead.
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Long Beach State will continue the series tomorrow in Davis, first pitch for game two is set for 6 p.m.
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UC Davis struck first in the second inning as Eli Murphy singled and moved to second on a base hit by Logan McNeal. With two aboard, Cole Lee reached on an error at third base, allowing Murphy to score from second for an unearned run and a 1-0 Aggies lead.
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The Aggies added to their lead in the fourth. Tyler Johnson doubled into left field to put a runner in scoring position, and Lee followed with a single to center, bringing Johnson home from second to make it 2-0.
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Long Beach State answered in the fifth inning. Damon Valdez singled and Trotter Enright followed with a base hit to put runners on first and second. After a sacrifice bunt moved both into scoring position, Matt Toomey delivered a clutch single to right field, driving in both runners, Valdez from third and Enright from second, to tie the game at 2-2.
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UC Davis regained the lead in the sixth. McNeal singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch before Lee came through again with a single to left-center, scoring McNeal from second to give the Aggies a 3-2 edge.
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The Dirtbags responded in the eighth with a decisive rally. Murchael Turner opened the inning with a single and advanced to third after a throwing error and a sacrifice bunt sequence put runners on second and third. Camden Gasser grounded out to second, allowing Turner to score from third and tie the game at 3-3. Moments later, Valdez delivered another key hit with a single to right field, bringing home the go-ahead run from third as Aaron Perez crossed the plate to give Long Beach State a 4-3 lead.
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Long Beach State added an insurance run in the ninth. Toomey walked and moved into scoring position before a sacrifice bunt attempt by Reid Montgomery resulted in an error, allowing Toomey to score from second and extend the lead to 5-3.
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On the mound, the Dirtbags bullpen closed the door late, stranding multiple UC Davis baserunners over the final two innings to secure the win.
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Perez led the way with three hits and one run scored while Toomey had two RBIs. Valdez recorded two hits and drove in a run, Lina also recorded two hits. On the mound, the pitching staff combined to limit UC Davis to three runs, with key strikeouts in the eighth and ninth innings preserving the lead.
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Long Beach State will continue the series tomorrow in Davis, first pitch for game two is set for 6 p.m.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Gebb, Tyler (2-0)
L: Mason Lerma (3-2)
S: Ramos, Alex (2)
Batting:
RBI: Toomey, Matt 2 ; Gasser, Camden 1 ; Valdez, Damon 1
SH: Chandler, Smith 1 ; Montgomery, Reid 1 ; Perez, Aaron 1 ; Roulston, Justin 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Enright, Trotter 1 ; Toomey, Matt 1 ; Turner, Murchael 1 ; Perez, Aaron 1 ; Valdez, Damon 1
Batting:
2B: Everet Johnson 1
RBI: Ryan Lee 2
SH: Jaxon Murphy 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jaxon Murphy 1 ; Elijah McNeal 1 ; Everet Johnson 1
SB: Tyler Howard 1
CS: Tyler Howard 1
HBP: Kai Mault 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
1
H
3
RBI
0
AB
5
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
1
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
INF
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INF
/ Baseball
OF
/ BaseballINF
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OF
/ Baseball
OF
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