Long Beach State Dirtbags junior lefthander Clayton Andrews pitched a complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts in a 1-0 win over visiting Cal State Fullerton on Friday night at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field. Andrews has won the last three Big West Pitcher of the Week awards.
LBSU (27-29, 12-11 Big West) and rivals Cal State Fullerton (31-23, 17-6 Big West) will play for the series at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Andrews lowered his ERA to 1.99 and allowed six singles while delivering his fifth double-digit strikeout performance. His 118 strikeouts are the most for any Dirtbags pitcher in a single season since Jered Weaver recorded 213 strikeouts and claimed National Player of the Year honors in 2004. The 118 strikeouts are also good for eighth in single-season program history.
In the fifth inning, Brooks Stotler led off with a walk. Two batters later, a single from Tristan Mercadel put runners at the corners. Mercadel then took off for second on a steal, and Stotler scored easily as the throw down to second went into the outfield. Stotler also singled in the game to extend his hitting streak to nine games.
Saturday’s season finale will be Alumni Day, Senior Day and will be broadcast on Fox Sports West. Wilson High alum and LBSU redshirt junior Tyler Radcliffe (2-4, 3.98 ERA) will make the start against RHP Andrew Quezada (4-5, 3.71 ERA) for the Titans.
