TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1999

Dirtbags lose three-game series

By Arnold V. Cruz

On-Line Forty-Niner

Junior first baseman Jaeme Leal tied the Long Beach State men's baseball team single season home run record on Friday, but the 49ers dropped the three-game series finale on Sunday, to fall back further in the Big West Conference race.

Leal hit his 16th homer of the season in the ninth inning of Friday's game, as the 49ers dropped the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Mustangs, 7-2 at San Luis Obispo Stadium.

Mike Gallo hurled a complete-game six-hitter, allowing two earned runs, striking out three while walking none.

Sunday's loss ended a five-game winning streak for the Dirtbags.

The 49ers trail first-place Cal State Fullerton by six and one half games and second place Nevada by two games.

First baseman Steve Wood singled to center field in the bottom of the 10th inning, scoring left fielder Bryan Gant to give the Mustangs an 8-7 victory over the Dirtbags.

Mike Shwam (1-5) picked up the win for the Mustangs while Josh Alliston (0-1) took the loss for the 49ers.

On Saturday, the 49ers held off a ninth inning rally by the Mustangs to win their fifth consecutive game with a 9-6 victory.

The Dirtbags scored four runs in the first inning and five in the seventh.

Freshman outfielder Chris Wright had three hits in the game. He hit a bases-loaded triple in the five-run seventh inning.

After the Mustangs scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth, catcher Mark Riddle grounded out to first base with two runners on to end the game.

With 10 conference games left, the 49ers are still not mathematically eliminated from winning the Big West. However, the Dirtbags need help from other teams to overtake Cal State Fullerton.

The 49ers host the Loyola Marymount Lions tonight at 7:05 at Blair Field.