The consistent theme for Long Beach State baseball team in the 2017 season so far is quality pitching from freshmen, both as starters and relief pitchers.
The Dirtbags (4-3) have attributed most of their success this season to the proficiency of freshmen pitchers like Matt Fields (2-0, 2.00 ERA), Connor Riley (4.1 IP, 10 K) and John Castro (0-0, 7.0 IP, 0.00 ERA).
Fields was the winning pitcher on Sunday against Fordham University, sealing the three-game sweep of the Rams. It was his second appearance after coming on in relief for three innings against Oklahoma on Feb. 18, when he picked up his first win of the year.
Riley has been the ace out of the bullpen for LBSU, leading the team with four appearances as well as holding opposing batters to a .143 average.
“It’s been good to see Riley have success,” head coach Troy Buckley said. “We’re going to need to have a fifth, sixth and seventh [inning option] situation covered as we continue to unfold.”
Castro started for the Dirtbags against USC on Feb. 21 when he threw seven scoreless innings and struck out six against the Trojans in his collegiate debut. Still, the freshman didn’t pick up the win after the bullpen gave up the lead. Buckley has announced that Castro will face the Aztecs (4-4) Tuesday.
Last season, the Dirtbags split their games against San Diego State, with both teams having won in their home ballpark. On April 5, in San Diego, senior first baseman Daniel Jackson was 1 for 4 with a big three-run home run, but LBSU lost 6-5 in a game that took almost five hours to play.
Castro will have to be sharp to navigate through a good Aztec lineup. Senior infielders Andrew Martinez (.385, 1 HR, 5 RBIs), Andrew Brown (.364, 1 HR, 6 RBIs) and Danny Sheehan (.313, 5 RBIs, 7 R) make up the core of the offense. As a team, they have a .299 average with 49 runs scored.
Sophomore catcher Dean Nevarez has also been a key to the Aztecs offense, batting .318 with three RBI’s and seven runs scored.
The Dirtbags’ offense enjoyed the weekend series against Fordham, hitting .292 against the Rams. Junior designated hitter Luke Rasmussen will look to continue his RBI game streak of seven and add to his total of 11 on the year.
Sophomore second baseman Jarren Duran, recently inserted in the lead off spot, will also look to stay hot at the plate after going 6 for 10 with four RBIs, seven runs scored and a 1.767 OPS.