By snoadmin
The Dirtbags look like they have started off the season on the right track, coming away from their opening series against top-ranked Rice with a 2-1 win this weekend. Although the majority of the team returned, the series was the first time head coach Mike Weathers saw how the 2008 squad fell into place in a big-game situation.
“Overall, it was a very successful weekend. I was more than happy with our performance,” Weathers said. “Sometimes I think when you win a series it covers up some of your problems. Still, I think there’s still things that we’re trying to find out about ourselves.”
The series boosted the Dirtbags’ national ranking, putting Long Beach State all the way up at No. 10 and started them off with a winning record. But the series also exposed some of the team’s strengths and weaknesses. The Dirtbags had a very low offensive weekend, and Weathers is hoping the low production isn’t a sign of times to come.
“Can we not hit, or is it just that we’re facing people that are pretty good?” Weathers said. “My only real problem with the weekend offensively was the strikeouts … When you strikeout looking 12 times, you’re not going to get many quality at-bats.”
The Dirtbags were fanned 29 times by Rice pitchers this weekend, 12 of those were looking. The bats were extremely quiet, facing some of the best pitching in the nation. Ryan Berry started off the weekend Friday night, going seven shutout innings, giving up just five hits and striking out eight. Berry pitched for Weathers this summer on Team USA, so Weathers knew what his team was up against.
However, Weathers had never seen their Nos. 2 and 3 starters, Cole St. Clair and Matt Langwell. The two of them repeatedly caught LSBU batters looking and got them to bite at breaking balls.
“We only had two players today with more than two [quality at-bats],” Weathers said. “We’re not getting enough quality at-bats. I think most of it was caused by the pitching, but some of it was us. We’re fighting ourselves.”
While the offense was down, the defense couldn’t have been more on top of its game. Pitching was outstanding throughout the weekend, as Andrew Liebel started off by fanning a career-high 11 in eight innings in the 1-0 10-inning win. The three double-plays the Dirtbags turned helped lead them to a 3-2 victory, and despite a wet field Sunday, Chris Nelson made a spectacular diving catch in center field.
Pitching and defense is proving to be LBSU’s biggest weapon. This strength will continue to play an especially important role in the Dirtbags’ upcoming week. Facing the San Diego Toreros Tuesday night, the Dirtbags will be going up against former fifth-round draft pick Kyle Blair, and next weekend, they will face six strong returning Wichita State pitchers.
