Long Beach really needs to get this weekend started right against Northridge. After being swept on the road by Irvine, the ‘Bags got a comeback win at Pepperdine. Now, if Long Beach has any dreams of postseason play, they need to win every series remaining.
First Inning
The Matadors (15-20) dropped a series last weekend at home to Cal State Fullerton, and have their new Friday starter, red shirt sophomore Ryan Juarez, on the hill. The Norwalk native and Gahr HS graduate is carrying with him a hefty 5.48 ERA into his ninth start of the season. Juarez gets the ‘Bags in order on three fly balls.
Second Inning
Dirtbag starter Adam Wilk looks good early, working the corners and mixing speeds. He did get hit hard twice in the first inning, but got a strikeout and two good defensive plays from Devin Lohman and Derek Legg in the second. TJ Mittlestadt led of the bottom of the frame with a bloop single to center, but two comebackers to the box ends the second.
Third Inning
Okay, so I’m going to do my best to explain this. Two singles and a walk load the bases with one out. Ryan Pineda hits one to deep left, the runner at third (I’m feeling friendly so I’ll leave his name out of it) went all the way home, than ran back to third as the runner on second met him there. Taylor Krick took the relay throw and went to third to get two outs. How you put that in the score book, I have no idea.
Fourth Inning
Wilk escapes trouble when TJ guns a runner out at second, and Juarez picks TJ off at first after a two out walk. Seriously, we’re an hour in and almost to the half way point. That is by far a Dirtbags season record for four innings, but I just jinxed it, so….
Fifth Inning
Wilk gets his fourth and fifth strikeout of the game (four of them looking, by the way) and despite two balks (when was the last time you saw that?) Juarez continues to cruise with a lazy fly ball from Krick to end the inning. Still 0-0
Sixth Inning
CSUN goes in order with three ground outs, and the Dirtbags put two on with two singles. But a double steal is unsuccessful, and another lazy fly ball gets Juarez out of it.
Seventh Inning
Wilk puts them down in order for the fourth inning in a row, and the Dirtbags put two men on again, only to pop out to end the threat, again. 0-0
Eighth Inning
Wilk is dealing! That’s 16 straight retired, and the offense finally picks him up. Juarez keeps throwing over to first, and the LBPostSports staff starts making chicken balks at him. It works, and Lohman flairs one into left to drive Casas in after a steal. 1-0
Ninth Inning
Charlie Ruiz comes out of the pen for the save, and strikes out the side by just pounding the strike zone. That’s 19 straight retired by Wilk and Ruiz, and that’s another Dirtbag victory!