Freshman infielder Johnny Bekakis puts one in play during a win over UCLA last week. Photo by Dale Brown

Waves Try To Swamp Dirtbags In Search Of Winning Season

Many of the Big West wise guys figured that the 2011 49er baseball fortunes would end five to ten games under .500. News flash: The Dirtbags youth movement is scrapping hard to finish above those dire predictions. At 24-25, this little four-game homestand could set the table for at least a break-even season.

So far, LBSU has series wins over Oregon (who went from Top Ten to just 26-24 themselves) and SDSU in their non-conference games and won their BWC series against Pacific, Riverside, and Cal Poly SLO. Tonight is the second of a two-game season series against Pepperdine and the final game of their four-game road trip.

The Waves are 4-5 on Tuesday but 5-4 vs. Big West: (2-0 vs. Cal Poly, 1-1 vs. Cal State Fullerton, 0-1 vs. Long Beach, 1-1 vs. UCSB, 0-1 vs. UC Irvine, 1-0 vs. UCR). The ‘Bags survived a 7-5, 12-inning win back on March 15. Pepperdine has not won a road game vs. the Dirtbags since May 2, 2006 and they hope that lefty Alex Najera (1-3, 3.86) can out-duel LB righty Kyle Friedrichs (3-2, 4.58). The ‘Niner offense is built more to small ball (2nd in the BWC with 67 sac bunts) than long ball. (CSUN is among the best in the league with 21 home runs and LBSU has just nine, none of them at home.) As a team, Pepp is hitting a modest .251 (LB is .260). Recently the Waves’ best hitter is sophomore Joe Sever who was torrid last weekend, hitting .538 (7-for-13) with two home runs and six RBI.

While the Dirtbags have a nice selection of set up guys, opening and closing hasn’t been as good as in the past. Pepperdine’s starters and relievers had a tough time, getting swept last weekend at San Francisco, collectively allowing 18 runs on 31 hits, 13 walks and three hit batsmen through 24.0 innings.

WEEKEND DUSTING–There’s a lot of action this weekend at Blair Field. First up on Friday is what will likely be the final start at home for junior right-hander Andrew Gagnon, who is projected to be an early MLB draft pick after serving for three seasons as a starter in the rotation for Long Beach State. Then, on Saturday, Angel’s pitcher Jered Weaver makes his return to Blair Field on “Weaver Day”, where the 2011 AL All-Star will throw out the first pitch and the first 250 fans will be given a free Jered Weaver T-shirt. The weekend then concludes with senior day on Sunday, where the Dirtbags will honor their two seniors, Troy Watson and Matt Hibbert with a pre-game ceremony… The Waves come in a 20-27 overall, just 5-10 in WCC play. Sam Meyer leads the team with a .315 batting average, just in front of Brian Humphries at .308. Kirk Singer hit the Bags first homer of the season at the U with a View. In our salute to one of the good guys in the college baseball business this note comes directly from Chris Macaluso, the Waves baseball SID: “Pepperdine boasts a one-of-a-kind athletic department with unprecedented success for a school of its size. The Waves have won a total of nine NCAA championships in five different men’s sports — one of just 14 schools to have accomplished this feat. Of the 14, Pepperdine is the only non-BCS school and has by far the smallest enrollment”… Where Are They, ran into Jason Berni from the 1998-01` team at Fullerton along with Mike Gallo… Gallo is in the wine and sprits business and Berni is a special ed teacher in the Perris public schools…

The Beach softballers (37-16) now enter the post season as an at-large outfit but their excellent pedigree and RPI got them a not-so-awful first round contest against SDSU who they face in an opening round contest to be broadcast live Friday afternoon on ESPNU. Long Beach State holds a 48-21 advantage in the all-time series between the two teams. The 49ers are 11-16 against host Arizona State and 0-1 against North Dakota State, the other two teams in the Tempe Regional. LBSU is 23-32 all-time in NCAA Regional Tournaments. 

LAST ADD FREE STUFF–The marketing folks are unloading their closets and idea file as they wrap up the 2010-2011 sporting year. After all, this weekend marks the final contests but the fans will feel the love.  Thursday is a free baseball kids clinic starting at 4 p.m. but the catch is you can’t be older than 13 because of those NCAA rules. Participants need to bring their own equipment and shoes. On Friday, there is a Giveaway of Alumni Postcard Collectable #20 of 20 – Troy Tulowitzki (first 500 fans); Saturday the Giveaway is 250 Jered Weaver tee shirts and Dirtbags Trading Cards – Players #36-40 with an Autograph Session (pre-game) with players featured on Trading Cards. Plus, a fan appreciation giveaway every inning. After that you will just have to renew your library card because the Beach will be silent until the Mizuno Invitational August 26-27, a four-team round robin featuring Prairie View and Washington playing the ‘Niners with Maryland-Baltimore County in town to watch the big kids play.