Dirtbags are eliminated

By Manuel Gamiz Jr., On-line Forty-Niner

June 11,1998

Long Beach State's run in the College World Series came to a crashing halt Wednesday, June 3 when they lost to Arizona State 14-4 in Omaha, Neb. The loss came one day after the Dirtbags had a thrilling ninth inning victory to eliminate the University of Miami.

A crowd of 19,000-plus braved chilly temperatures to watch Arizona State right fielder Mikel Moreno hit a home run off 49er starting pitcher Jeff Leuenberger in the first inning giving the Sun Devils an early 1-0 lead. After the first inning home run, the 49ers did not look like the same team that had defeated the No. 2-seeded Miami Hurricanes. The Dirtbags finished the game throwing a CWS-record six wild pitches and committing four errors en route to a 10-run loss.

Leuenberger lasted only 2 1/3 innings giving up seven runs and committing three wild pitches. Dirtbag pitchers, Dan Thomas, Dennis Kordich and Jason Berni did not fare much better against the Sun Devil hitters giving up runs in every inning but the fifth. By the end of the game, the Sun Devils had pounded out 18 hits including three home runs. They were led by second baseman Willie Bloomquist, who went 5-for-6 and drove in four runs.

The Dirtbags had 11 hits including solo home runs by catcher Bryan Kennedy and center fielder Terrmel Sledge. Kennedy went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs, while Sledge ended the game with three hits. Long Beach State finished the season with a record of 43-23-1 (2-2 in CWS). The Sun Devils went on to lose in the championship game to the USC Trojans 21-14 on Sunday, June 7.