It’s called reloading, and only established programs get to do it, while everyone else is rebuilding.  This year is a reloading year for Long Beach State baseball. 

Two of three weekend starters and the two biggest bats went to the next level along with nine other Dirtbags, and now it’s time to get to know the newest faces before seeing them at Blair this weekend.

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#40 Jonathan “J.J.” Jones
       Sophomore, Outfielder
The Vacaville native was honorable mention All-Big West last year with a .343 batting average and .429 on-base percentage, both ranking second on the team.  He started 35 games at the top of the order and posted a 13-game hitting streak in March.  Jones also played a big role in the season’s final series with Fullerton when he drove in three runs.

#36 Jake Thompson
       Sophomore, Pitcher (Rt)
The Wilson Bruin started 13 games last season and posted a 4.95 ERA with 42 strikeouts.  Thompson will be called on a lot more this season, including going deeper into games.  The 6’3” 220lb Long Beach native showed some promise in his first start last season against Rice, going six innings and giving up only two hits.

#5 Devin Lohman
     Sophomore, Infielder
Having to take over at shortstop for “The Program” is a tall order for Lohman, who played second base a lot last season.  The Santa Maria kid had 22 hits in 33 games, so this season he’ll look to improve on being patient at the plate (27 SO, 9 BB).

#19 Dustin Rasco
       Senior, Pitcher (Rt)
The Kansas State transfer has been a stalwart in the bullpen for the last two seasons.  Rasco finished the year with a 2.14 ERA in 21 inn. while racking up 25 Ks. 

#20 Jordan Casas
       Junior, Outfielder
The redshirt-sophomore started 11 games last season, and all of the postseason games in the outfield.  Early in the season he struggled as a pinch-hitter, but he came on late and finished with a .302 batting average.

#4 Derek Legg
     Freshman, Infielder
The switch-hitting second baseman was a four-year letterman at Vista Murrieta High School.  Legg was a four-time all-league selection and hit .413 as a senior.

#8 Matt Avery
     Freshman, Outfielder
Avery was a three-year letterman just down the road at Los Alamitos High School.  Named first-team All-CIF, the lefty stick carried a .670 slugging percentage and is now the career leader in RBI at Los Al.

#15 Charlie Ruiz
       Junior, Pitcher (Rt)
The San Leandro native spent two years at Chabot College and helped his team to two Elite-Eight appearances.  Last year he had a 2.98 ERA and 29 strikeouts.

#24 Andrew Gagnon
       Freshman, Pitcher (Rt)
The 6’2” NorCal boy lettered four years at Liberty High School while batting .380 and posting a 1.58 ERA.

#33 Tre Dennis
       Junior, Outfielder
The speedy lefty had forty stolen bases in two seasons at Southwestern Junior College in San Diego.  Last season, he tallied 32 RBI and batted .438.

#44 Jason Markovitz
       Junior, Pitcher (Lt)
The southpaw has made a living as the situational lefty out of the bullpen for the last two seasons at The Beach.  Last season, he pitched 8.1 innings with a 1.08 ERA.

Click here for this week’s preview for the series with USC

With Reports From LBSU