Dirtbags Head North For Final Big West Matchup Against Cal Poly

Thursday, May 14

San Luis Obispo, Calif.

6 p.m.

Long Beach State University

Cal Poly

Dirtbags Head North For Final Big West Matchup Against Cal Poly

5/14/2026 10:01:00 AM | Baseball

Long Beach State wraps up the regular season this weekend with a three-game conference series at Cal Poly.

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

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Long Beach State closes out the regular season this weekend with a three-game Big West road series against Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. The Dirtbags will look to bounce back after facing No. 10 Oregon State while the Mustangs enter the weekend coming off a series win against Cal State Fullerton.

LEADING OFF
The 72nd season of Long Beach State baseball continues this weekend as the Dirtbags head to San Luis Obispo for a three-game Big West series against the Cal Poly Mustangs at Baggett Stadium.

Thursday's opener is scheduled for 6:05 p.m., followed by another 6:05 p.m. first pitch Friday before the series finale Saturday at 1:05 p.m.

STARTING PITCHERS
Long Beach State is expected to send sophomore right-hander Ka'imi Kahalekai to the mound Thursday night. Kahalekai enters the weekend with a 6.35 ERA and 43 strikeouts across 39.2 innings pitched in 19 appearances.

Freshman Luke Howe is slated for Friday's start after emerging as one of the Dirtbags' most dependable arms throughout conference play. Howe owns a 5-3 record with a 4.57 ERA while totaling 65 strikeouts over 82.2 innings.

Freshman Jason Gerfers is expected to close the weekend rotation Saturday. Gerfers carries a 5.35 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 72.1 innings while holding opponents to a .242 batting average.

Cal Poly is projected to counter with right-hander Griffin Naess in Thursday's opener. Naess enters the weekend 5-4 with a 4.70 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 67 innings.

Right-hander Carson Turnquist is expected to start Friday after posting a 6-2 record and a 3.77 ERA while limiting opponents to a .200 batting average.

Left-hander Josh Volmerding is projected to take the ball Saturday. Volmerding owns a 6.92 ERA across six appearances this season.

THIS AND THAT
• Trotter Enright continues setting the tone atop the lineup, leading the Big West with 33 walks while consistently creating traffic on the bases.

• Dylan Lina remains one of the conference's top run producers, ranking inside the top five in RBI with 44 while also sitting among the Big West leaders in home runs (10) and sacrifice flies. His ability to reach base in multiple ways has helped fuel the middle of the Dirtbags lineup throughout the season.

• Kaiden Smaka's speed continues to impact games, ranking among the conference leaders in triples while adding versatility throughout the lineup and outfield.

• Howe has embraced a major workload as a freshman starter, currently ranking top 5 in the conference in innings pitched while also sitting among the Big West leaders in wins (5) and strikeouts (62).

• Gerfers continues missing bats at one of the best rates in the conference, ranking among the top pitchers in both opposing batting average (.236) and strikeouts (63).

• Caleb Anderson has become a reliable bullpen weapon for Long Beach State and currently ranks among the conference leaders with 53 strikeouts.

• Recent lineup changes have created opportunities for several Dirtbags to carve out larger roles late in the season. Over the last 14 games, Murchael Turner has been batting .236 with 13 hits, four RBI and four doubles.

• Justin Roulston has also provided a spark during their series against Oregon State when he hit a two-run home run which gave the Dirtbags their first lead in the series.

LAST TIME OUT
Long Beach State enters the weekend following a three-game non-conference series against No. 10 Oregon State at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field.

The Dirtbags dropped the opener 7-2 before falling 8-1 in game two. In Sunday's finale, Long Beach State briefly grabbed its first lead of the series, but Oregon State answered late to secure an 8-4 victory.

SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS
Cal Poly enters the final weekend after winning its road series against Cal State Fullerton two games to one. After dropping the opener 4-3, the Mustangs responded with consecutive wins of 7-6 and 6-2 to clinch a berth in the Big West Baseball Championship. The Mustangs also picked up a 15-10 midweek victory over Fresno State on the road.

Ryan Tayman has anchored the Cal Poly offense this season, batting .340 with 66 hits, 15 home runs and 49 RBI while posting a .655 slugging percentage.

Turnquist and Naess have led the Mustang pitching staff throughout conference play, combining for 135 strikeouts over 124.1 innings pitched.

PLAYER NOTES
• Enright has embraced the leadoff role recently, delivering quality at-bats and creating opportunities throughout the lineup adding 49 hits, nine doubles, and 31 RBI this season.

• Chandler has provided consistency both offensively and defensively, batting .253 with 33 hits, 23 RBI and three home runs while maintaining a perfect fielding percentage in the outfield.

• Lina continues serving as the Dirtbags' primary power threat and run producer, leading the team with 44 RBI and 10 home runs while consistently finding ways to reach base.

• Conner Stewart has recently stepped into a different role at first base contributing timely offense. Stewart enters the weekend batting .227 with 22 hits and five doubles.

• Damon Valdez continues handling the bulk of the work behind the plate while contributing offensively with 19 hits and 10 RBI. His defense has remained steady with 248 putouts.

• Reid Montgomery has filled multiple roles across the field and lineup this season, providing versatility while contributing 16 hits and nine RBI.