Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
Cal State Fullerton
Dirtbags Set For 15-Mile Rivalry Series Against Cal State Fullerton
4/9/2026 3:02:00 PM | Baseball
Long Beach State hosts Cal State Fullerton in key Big West rivalry series.
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Long Beach State continues a 10-game homestand at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field this weekend for a pivotal Big West showdown against Cal State Fullerton in the 15-mile rivalry series, looking to build momentum against one of the conference leaders.
LEADING OFF
• The Dirtbags welcome Cal State Fullerton for the 15-mile rivalry series, with three games set for Friday at 6:05 p.m., Saturday at 6:05 p.m. and Sunday at 1:05 p.m., all streamed on ESPN+.
• Friday's opener will feature a ceremonial first pitch thrown out by the new minor league team, the Long Beach Coast.
• Saturday's promotion highlights the 1991 Long Beach State alumni team, as former players and coaches return to Bohl Diamond at Blair Field to be honored for their run through the Austin Regional, defeating Oklahoma State to advance to the program's second College World Series in three years.
• Sunday's finale will include a fan-favorite promotion with kids invited to run the bases following the game.
STARTING PITCHERS
Graduate right-hander Caleb Anderson takes the ball Friday, entering with a 6.25 ERA across 14 appearances and three starts. Anderson has logged 31.2 innings with 31 strikeouts.
Freshman right-hander Luke Howe is scheduled to start Saturday's evening game. Howe carries a 4-1 record with a 5.26 ERA over eight starts, totaling 39 strikeouts across 49.2 innings while ranking among the Big West leaders in wins.
Freshman right-hander Jason Gerfers will start Sunday, continuing to headline the Dirtbags' young rotation. Gerfers has made nine appearances with eight starts, posting 41 strikeouts over 44.0 innings while holding opponents to a .236 batting average.
THIS AND THAT
• Long Beach State ranks sixth in the Big West with a .251 team batting average as the offense continues to find consistency in conference play.
• Trevor Goldenetz ranks second in the conference with a .369 batting average and a .489 on-base percentage, while Jake Evans follows closely behind at fourth in batting average (.356) and third in on-base percentage (.487).
• Goldenetz also ranks fourth in hits (41), is among the top 10 in runs scored (26) and walks (20) and sits second in stolen bases with 10.
• Dylan Lina continues to anchor the middle of the lineup, ranking second in the Big West with 36 RBI while adding seven home runs, placing him among the conference's top power hitters.
• Evans remains one of the conference's top extra-base threats, ranking in the top 10 with 10 doubles.
• Goldenetz ranks fourth in sacrifice bunts, while Matt Toomey leads the Big West in sacrifice flies.
• On the mound, Gerfers ranks among the conference leaders in innings pitched and opponent batting average, while Howe sits in the top 10 in wins.
FRESHMEN WEEKEND IMPACT
Long Beach State continues to rely on freshmen in key weekend roles, with Howe and Gerfers anchoring two spots in the rotation. Howe has already collected four wins this season, while Gerfers has delivered two complete games and ranks among the team leaders in strikeouts.
Gerfers also earned back-to-back Big West Pitcher of the Week honors earlier this season and received national recognition with a selection to the Baseball America Week 6 Team of the Week.
LAST TIME OUT
Long Beach State dropped its weekend series at Cal State Northridge, opening with a 2-7 loss before responding with a dominant 17-4 victory in Game 2, marking the team's highest run total of the season. In that win, Smith Chandler delivered a perfect 4-for-4 performance at the plate, blasting two home runs and driving in three runs to power the Dirtbags' offensive surge. The Matadors claimed the rubber game with an 18-4 decision.
The Dirtbags also fell in a bullpen-heavy midweek matchup at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field, using seven pitchers in a game that featured 15 total arms between both teams, resulting in a 5-10Â loss to California Baptist.
SCOUTING THE TITANS
Cal State Fullerton enters the weekend after sweeping UC Riverside in its last Big West series, winning 9-1, 5-2, and 9-3. They then dropped their midweek matchup on Tuesday against UCLA at home 3-7.
Paul Contreras leads the Titans offensively, batting .378 with seven home runs, 19 RBI and a .492 on-base percentage, while Nick Miller adds depth with a .297 average, 30 hits and 18 RBI.
On the mound, Mikiah Negrete anchors the rotation with a 1.74 ERA and a 5-2 record across eight starts, totaling 54 strikeouts over 51.2 innings and limiting opponents effectively throughout the season.
PLAYER NOTES
• Goldenetz continues to set the tone at the top of the lineup, batting .369 with 41 hits, 26 runs scored, 20 walks and 10 stolen bases, consistently creating scoring opportunities for the Dirtbags.
• Evans has developed into one of the team's most complete hitters, batting .356 with 10 doubles, a .533 slugging percentage and a .487 on-base percentage while contributing across multiple roles.
• Trotter Enright has quietly produced in key moments, totaling 26 RBI and eight doubles while handling a heavy defensive workload across the infield.
• Toomey continues to impact games in situational at-bats, recording eight doubles, 15 RBI and 13 hit-by-pitches while leading the conference in sacrifice flies.
• Lina remains the primary run producer in the lineup, driving in 36 runs with seven home runs and adding a .449 slugging percentage while delivering timely hits throughout the season.
• Chandler has emerged as a key offensive contributor, batting .306 with 22 hits, 15 RBI and three home runs, including a standout performance at Cal State Northridge where he went 4-for-4 with two home runs to lead Long Beach State to its highest-scoring game of the season.
• Reid Montgomery has contributed in key moments with limited opportunities, recording 10 hits, seven RBI and a home run while providing defensive flexibility across 21 appearances, including 10 starts.
