Slide • Shane Peterson tries to leg out a double during the Dirtbag’s third-straight loss to Cal State Fullerton Sunday, but was unable to avoid the tag. Jeffery Patch / Online Forty-Niner


Dirtbags open conference play against UCI Anteaters



By Kim Oswell
Online Forty-Niner
Sports Editor


The Dirtbags cling to a 12-15 record halfway through the season and look ahead to Big West Conference play this weekend. Long Beach State opens up conference hosting UC Irvine Friday through Sunday at Blair Field.

The LBSU baseball program has done well in past years, including four College World Series and seven Big West Titles.

After falling below .500 after the sweep by Cal State Fullerton last weekend, the Dirtbags have some obstacles in their way with the Anteaters holding an 18-10 record.

The pitching match-up on Friday will be Dirtbag Jared Hughes, 4-1 with a 3.23 ERA, and Justin Cassel, 3-4 with a 4.22 ERA. Hughes has given up three or less earned runs in all of his starts except one, but tied the school record for hit by pitches with 29. UCI is ranked third in the league, behind the Titans at 20-7 and Pacific 16-7.

The leaders in batting averages include Shane Peterson with .435, Kip Masuda .419 and Evan Longoria .341.

The history between LBSU and UCI has been one of competition and intensity with the Anteaters holding a 51-38-1 all-time series lead over LBSU, but the Dirtbags have claimed the last three conference series.

The Dirtbags have statistics on its side because they have won 12 of 17 opening weekends in Big West play since 1989.

LBSU was ranked No. 16 in the preseason collegiate baseball poll, but have since dropped to No. 37 in the coaches poll.

Fans can tune into the Dirtbags during the weekly Mike Weathers show that takes place at Cirivello’s from 6 to 7 p.m. and features a few players as guests.

The upcoming opponents the Dirtbags face at home include San Diego State, Pacific and Pepperdine.

The UCI series begins 6:30 p.m. Friday at Blair Field. Admission is free for all CSULB students with valid ID.

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