Picture by Rich Doherty

Dirtbags sweep weekend series

Mudbags may have been a better description than Dirtbags, as the 49er baseball team finished a four game sweep over the Washington Huskies, in sopping wet conditions at Blair Field.

The 49ers, who outscored the Huskies 22-5 in the series, got off to a slow offensive start Monday, but pitcher Steve Hueston kept the Dirtbags in the game by pitching five scoreless innings and striking out seven Washington hitters over the stretch.

The rain seemed to bring life to the bats of the 49ers in the seventh inning, as First Baseman Jeff Tagliaferri drilled a Blair Fowler pitch over the center field wall for a solo homerun.

The 49ers kept the momentum on their side in the eight inning, as they proceeded toput Washington away for good.

Husky side-armer Cody Morrison walked the bases loaded, then beamed senior Jason Knupfer to give the Dirtbags a 2-0 lead.

With the bases still jammed, the right-fielder Kevin Moore doubled down the left field line, bringing in two more runs and putting the game out of reach.

Cal State Long Beach pitcher Iran Herrera pitched strong for 2 2/3 innings and recorded the save.

Jeff Tagliaferri (.357 BA, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3 Runs and 1 SB) was the series star, bouncing back from four strikes out in the opener.

The 49ers pitchers accumulated an amazing 48 strikes out over the series, lead by Ricky Biddle who had 12 in six innings of work Friday night.

Dirtbag close Ryan Brannan was perfect in two save attempts, bringing his season total to three. With the bases loaded Saturday, Brannon struck out the batter to end the game and a Huskie comeback.