With a chance to keep its season alive, the Long Beach State baseball team got off to a rocky start falling behind 8-1 to No. 3 University of Miami, host of the Coral Gables Regional.
But, the Dirtbags fought back.
In the sixth inning, LBSU stormed back, scoring six runs with only two hits in the inning.
It was a classic Dirtbag inning as they took advantage of free bases and got timely hits. Sophomore designated hitter Luke Rasmussen got the game rolling when he walked after being hit by a pitch.
Junior Daniel Jackson followed that with another walk, putting two on with no outs and bringing up redshirt junior Alex Muzzi.
Muzzi did not disappoint, hitting a three-run home run over the left field wall to cut Miami’s lead to 8-4.
The Dirtbags scored three more runs in the sixth making it a one run game.
Freshman Jarren Duran tied the same at 8 after an errant throw allowed him to score from third base.
LBSU’s rally ended in heartbreak as Christopher Barr scored the game-winning run for the Hurricanes after he walked and scored when second baseman Randy Batista hit a single to right center field.
The Dirtbags ended their season 38-22. LBSU went 2-2 during the regional, defeating Florida Atlantic University twice and losing to Miami twice.
“[I’m] extremely proud,” Long Beach State head coach Troy Buckley said of his team’s regional performance. “Certainly disappointed, I thought we lost and they didn’t win and we were a little too philanthropic on base, on balls and the errors. [It was] just little things we didn’t capitalize on.”
While the Dirtbags season didn’t continue as they would’ve liked several players were named to the Coral Gables Regional All-Tournament Team. Jackson, Duran, Rasmussen and senior pitcher Tanner Brown received the honors.
The Future is Bright
With 38 wins, this LBSU team has won the most of any team since Buckley has become head coach.
Buckley credited a highly talented team that led the way for the Dirtbags to finish second in the Big West and have six players named to the All-Big West team.
A trio of sophomores including catcher David Banuelos, redshirt sophomore outfielder Tristan Mercadel and Darren McCaughan were players coach Buckley mentioned that made strides forward this season.
Senior production was also a key that allowed the Dirtbags to do well this year.
“Our seniors had a huge impact,” Buckley said. “Offensively and/or numbers wise. They were tremendous. They understood what they were doing, they provided good energy and understood their roles. They brought a lot to the table.”
While Garrett Hampson is likely heading for the MLB draft and senior Zack Domingues is graduating, LBSU will have a lot of key returners — especially if sophomore Chris Mathewson and junior Austin McGeorge return.
“[If you] get Mathewson and McGeorge back,” Buckley said. “You will not replace Hampson, but we have some candidates to at least make a steal that we can have somebody there to replace him as far as taking care of the baseball and then you got to replace third baseman [Zack] Domingues, everyone is back on your team.”
Buckley is confident that the pitching, which has been a struggle at times for the Dirtbags, will have a lot more improvement next season.
“You look to try and improve your team every year with recruiting,” Buckley said. “In theory, when I was an assistant I tried to get someone better than [Jered] Weaver when he finished his freshman year. I know that’s not possible, but that’s the mindset.”
Adding depth to the pitcher rotation will be the goal for this summer as the team will lose senior Tanner Brown and possibly Mathewson who may also enter the MLB Draft.