The Dirtbags got into a hole early thanks to a UCLA grand slam in the first inning, and never recovered as they fell to the Bruins 7-5.  Derek Legg was two-for-four with a double for Long Beach State. 

UCLA got started with back-to-back singles in the first, and after a walk to load the bases, Casey Haerther homered to left field, putting the Bruins ahead 4-0. The Bruins then tacked on additional runs in the second and third, moving out to a 6-0 lead after three innings.

Offensively, Long Beach State was stymied by UCLA starter Garett Claypool, who pitched six innings, giving up just one hit and striking out seven. The Beach finally got on the board in the seventh when Taylor Krick drove in Legg who doubled to start the inning.

Long Beach State mounted a rally in the top of the eighth. Brennan Metzger walked on four pitches to start the rally, and after stealing second, the freshman scored on a single by Devin Lohman to cut the lead to four. After a hit by Legg and a wild pitch, Steve Tinoco singled up the middle to make the score 6-4, but the Dirtbags couldn’t pull the whole way back.

The Long Beach State bullpen collectively held UCLA to just one run and two hits after taking over from Jeff Lease in the third until the eighth, when the Bruins added an unearned run for additional insurance.

Jordan Casas beat out an infield single in the ninth to get a runner on, and would score on an RBI single from Jones to cut the lead back to two for a second time, but closer Gavin Brooks would finish the game for his eighth save of the year.

Long Beach State returns home this weekend, resuming Big West play with a three-game series against UC Davis. Friday and Saturday night are both set for 6:30pm starts, while Sunday’s game is at its normal time of 1pm.  The May 2^nd game will also be Evan Longoria bobblehead night, with the first 1,000 fans getting the coveted giveaway.

From LBSU reports