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Here is my LIVE GAME BLOG for the Dirtbag win over Riverside, 5-2, their sixth-straight victory. Adam Wilk pitched seven solid innings, and a rally in the seventh proved the difference. With the score tied 2-2, Taylor Krick started it off with a one out walk, and moved over on Kellen Hoime’s sac bunt. Jonathan Jones drove in the go ahead run with a single, and was brought in by Jordan Casas’ RBI single on an 0-2 count.
First Inning
Riverside (17-6) are fresh off dropping a series to Fullerton. Tonight they have Paul Bargas, who’s 3-1 with a 3.55 ERA. The Dirtbags put two on with a single from Devin Lohman and a walk to TJ Mittelstaedt, but Bargas struck out Rylan Sandoval to end the inning. 0-0
Second Inning
On the mound for Long Beach is the junior from Cypress, Adam Wilk. He started the season as the Sunday starter, but since moving to Friday he’s won two in a row. He’s working the low fastball well, and gets three ground ball outs in the frame. In the Dirtbags half, Derek Legg leads off with a double and two well placed ground balls bring him around and in. That’s so Dirtbag Baseball of them. 1-0 Long Beach
Third Inning
Two bloop singles, good base running, and an inch meant two runs for the Highlanders. Lohman skied for a line drive over his head, and he got a glove on it, but the ball bounced out. But the Dirtbags answered quickly when TJ stroked one to the wall in center to drive in Casas. 2-2
Fourth Inning
Both teams put runner on, but Wilk got two fly outs and Bargas got a K to escape trouble. 2-2
Fifth Inning
Lohman helps out Wilk with a diving catch to end the top of the inning, but another bad call by the first base umpire keeps the bases empty in the bottom. Seriously, there have been five close calls at first, and he’s missed four of them. Don’t worry guys, I’m giving him an ear full. It’s almost funny he’s so bad. 2-2
Sixth Inning
Wilk is dealing right now. He isn’t overpowering, and he never has been, but he reminds me a lot of Andrew Liebel. Gritty, tough and a little crafty. UCR just can’t hit him hard. Four of their hits have been bloops.
Seventh Inning
Walk, sac bunt, RBI single, stolen base, RBI single. This is Dirtbag baseball. This is why this team is so dangerous. 4-2 Dirtbags
Eighth Inning
UCR hits Wilk hard in the top half, and Kellen makes an incredible diving catch on a foul ball, but Charlie Ruiz comes out of the pen with the bases loaded. He works the inside and gets a weak pop up and a weak ground out to leave the bags full. Wilk went 7.1, giving up six hits, two runs, and striking out three. In the bottom half, the second error on a Highlander pitcher leads to some insurance for the ‘Bags, like the dealer was showing 21. 5-2
Ninth Inning
Ruiz stays in and strikes out two in the top of the inning to wrap up the victory, 5-2. Great win for the Dirtbags, 1-0 in the Big West.