Dirbags get back on track beat Trojans

It'is too soon to tell, but the Cal State Long Beach baseball team seems to be getting on the right track. The 49ers, who dropped four of the first five games of the season, came into Sunday's game against USC needing something more than just a win, they needed answers. They may have gotten some in a 7-3 victory before 1,448 at Blair Field Sunday, in a game which included some much needed production from the top of the 49er lineup, along with some clutch pitching from starter Denny Gilich and reliever Ara Petrosian.

The Beach, who lost the first two games of the three game USC series, exploded for six runs in the first two innings in what was a sight for the sore eyes of Dirtbag Head Coach Dave Snow.

"Our offense set the tone today," Snow said. "They were really big for us. We played good, fundamental baseball. We advanced runners and got our bunts down."

With a 6-0 lead, CSULB (2-4) found themselves not needing their pitching to bail them out as in games before. Gilich, who gave up five runs in four innings in his first start at Fresno State, was solid in his six innings of work Sunday, giving up just one earned run while repeatedly bailing himself out of trouble.

USC had runners in scoring position in the first and third innings, but Gilich (1-1) cruised until he hit a rocky fourth inning. Trojan catcher Eric Munson led off with a double to right. Two singles later, one on a ball 49er second baseman Steve Doherty dropped on a near circus catch, the bases were loaded with no outs.

Gilich then got right fielder Jeff DePippo to pop up to third baseman Izzy Gonzalez, but the catch was negated due to a catcher's interference call on Casey Martin. Munson scored and one out later Robb Gorr came in on a sacrifice fly from left fielder Greg Hanoian. Gilich gave up one more unearned run in the fifth inning before giving way to Petrosian in the seventh. Petrosian was almost flawless as he dazzled Trojan batters in three innings of work, earning the save while giving up just one hit and striking out four.

"He's been real solid," Snow said noting that Petrosian also may have a shot to move into the starting rotation sometime soon. "I think he's capable of any role."

The top of the CSULB lineup proved to be the spark as the first three batters combined for seven hits. Lateef Vaughn and Jaron Madison each had two hits and scored twice in each of the first two innings.

Gonzalez was three for three with a double and two RBI in the number three slot and Martin came up big as well with three RBI. Doherty also added three hits. With the win, the 49ers ended a six game losing streak against the Trojans, who are ranked as high as third nationally.

"We played with a little bit more passion today," said Snow, whose 49ers avenged a tough 4-3 defeat at the hands of the Trojans Saturday at USC's Dedeaux Field. "We didn't beat ourselves."

With the season still young, Snow realizes that it will take some time to find the right combination for success. "We're still trying to find a group," he said. "We'll go through our growing pains."