By LOS ANGELES — The Long Beach State baseball team flexed some muscle, homering twice and scoring in seven different innings on its way to a 10-1 win against No. 15 UCLA Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
Dirtbags’ (3-1) head coach Troy Buckley knew his team was capable of scoring with its power-hitting lineup, but it didn’t show up until Tuesday.
“There was a huge improvement [in the offense] from the weekend,” Buckley said. “I thought we had more quality at-bats that we weren’t waiting around for. These games are hard because you can go through a lot of different pitchers on Tuesdays so you can never really get into a pattern or sequence.”
First baseman Lucas Tancas dominated the Bruins’ pitching, going 2-for-3 with five RBIs and a 3-run home run in the eighth inning.
“I wasn’t trying to press,” Tancas said. “Last couple of games I’ve been taking some fastballs over the plate, chasing balls in the dirt, so I was really trying to see the ball deep and no panic.”
Designated hitter Luke Rasmussen got the team on the board after a sac-fly scored Tancas to give the Dirtbags a 1-0 lead after the first inning. Junior Jeff Nellis hit the Dirtbags’ first home run of the night in the third inning to give the Dirtbags a 5-0 lead.
LBSU’s top of line up went 7-for-15 with six runs scored and nine RBIs. Shortstop Garrett Hampson and second baseman Jarren Duran combined to steal four of the team’s five stolen bases on the night which turned into two runs.
“We got a lot of guys that can run,” Tancas said. “And when [they] are hitting on all cylinders, we’re a very dangerous offense we put a lot of pressure on the defense.”
LBSU’s offense erupted, but the defense also had an excellent outing. Starting pitcher Dave Smith threw a gem, allowing one run in six innings of action. He finished with six strikeouts, one walk and one earned run. The Dirtbags also went another game without committing an error, bringing its streak to four games.
“It’s a big deal,” Buckley said. “There are no free opportunities. A lot of work has gone into it, the ether we give a lot of credit to the defense.”
Although the score was lopsided, Buckley said that the Bruins are a talented team.
“[UCLA head coach] Joe Savage is one of my best friends,” Buckley said. “They will get better, but it certainly is a very good road win for us.”
Along with his homer, Nellis finish 2-for-5 with one run scored. UCLA’s Kort Peterson was the lone bright spot for the Bruins, going 3-for-4 with a double. UCLA sent seven pitchers to the mound, but the Dirtbags hitting continued.
LBSU’s relief pitchers have yet to allow a run in four games this season. Sophomore left-hander Lucas Jacobsen pitched a perfect eighth inning, striking out all three Bruins.
The team will look to continue its hot hitting at Blair field when it hosts Arizona State University Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
