Dominant starting pitching is the trend for the Long Beach State baseball team, which became clear when it defeated Pepperdine 3-2 Tuesday night at Blair Field.
Junior right-hander Ryan Cruz made his starting debut for the Dirtbags (3-1) Tuesday. The first year transfer pitched five innings of one-hit ball, walking one and striking out nine.
“My personal goal is to help the team win,” Cruz said, and then credited the LBSU staff for helping to bring out the best in him.
Cruz had a 1-2-3 first inning. In the second inning, first basemen junior Brad Anderson collected a base hit, and Cruz proceeded to walk sophomore Jack Ross. With runners in scoring position, Cruz collected his third strikeout to escape trouble.
“Cruz has been a really nice addition for us,” head coach Troy Buckley said. “He is going to give us a lot of flexibility as the season moves forward.”
The Dirtbags took the early lead when sophomore shortstop Garrett Hampson drove in junior second basemen Jared James, who led off the game with a double.
With two outs in the seventh freshman outfielder Tristan Mercadel made a fielding error that allowed Pepperdine third basemen Chris Fornaci to come for a run. Kolten Yamaguchi got credit for a triple, and the Waves’ Manny Jefferson brought Yamaguchi to tie the game 2-2.
The Dirtbags got to Pepperdine freshman right-hander Jordan Qsar in the seventh when Hampson hit a sacrifice fly that brought in junior infielder Jordan Serven for the go-ahead run.
Hampson said he was looking to put the ball in play and make something happen with the bases loaded.
“We didn’t play very good defense today,” Hampson said. “I think it’s a good win for us.”
Junior right-hander Ty Provencher’s fielding error in the ninth gave Pepperdine a chance to either tie or take the lead. With two runners in scoring position, Provencher kept his composure and struck out the last batters for the save. Provencher picked up his second save of the season, and Hampson finished with a hit and a run, as well as two RBI.
The Dirtbags host the NC Dinos, a professional Korean league team, in an exhibition game Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Blair Field.
