FROM LBSU REPORTS
Saturday has been a Bugaboo for the Long Beach State Dirtbags this season, but they exorcised the demons today at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field.
LBSU (12-19, 1-1 Big West) was able to win the second game of a series for the first time this season on Saturday afternoon with a 1-0 victory over UC Irvine (16-13, 2-3 Big West) to even the Big West series.
Junior Clayton Andrews delivered another terrific start, going 8+ innings, allowing five hits and just one walk while matching his career high with 11 strikeouts. He also fanned 11 batters a week ago at Fresno State, but was the tough-luck loser in that game. On Saturday, the Dirtbags gave Andrews a run in the third inning and that’s all he would need. Santino Rivera drilled a one-out double to left, then scored on a Jarren Duran single to second base that trickled into the outfield.
LBSU Dirtbags on Twitter
Here’s the man of the hour, @clayton1andrews, who threw 8+ shutout innings today to lead LBSU to a 1-0 win! #GoBeach https://t.co/Asbb47d6py
With his eight shutout innings, Andrews lowered his ERA to 2.66 on the season. Coupled with his .284 average at the plate, Andrews now leads the Dirtbags in both batting average and ERA. The junior attempted to go for the complete game in the ninth inning, but after an infield single to begin the frame, Troy Buckley turned to his bullpen to get closer Chris Rivera. The junior righthander came in from the ‘pen and shut things down, retiring the three Anteaters he faced to secure his eighth save of the season and give LBSU’s its second 1-0 victory of the season.
LBSU Dirtbags on Twitter
Listen to what Head Coach Troy Buckley had to say following his team’s 1-0 victory over UC Irvine! #GoBeach https://t.co/WfQ9avzALM
The Dirtbags defense also picked up Andrews on the mound, especially in the sixth inning. In consecutive at bats, CF Brooks Stotler made a great running grab in the left-centerfield gap, then RF Tristan Mercadel made a great sliding catch in foul territory to retire the first two batters in the UCI batting order.
Long Beach State will look to win the series on Sunday with redshirt junior Tyler Radcliffe (1-3, 3.91 ERA) making the start. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
