The No. 25-ranked Dirtbags have begun the process of picking themselves back up after their dismal skid with a Big West Conference sweep over CS Northridge this weekend. The offensive prowess resurged, the pitching struggles were nearly eliminated and the Dirtbags managed to pull through against Edwin Quirarte, one of the toughest arms in the Big West.
The Dirtbags (23-14, 5-4 Big West) entered Sunday’s series finale leading the series 2-0 with the struggling Jake Thompson on the hill. Thompson effectively used strong, somewhat refurbished breaking pitches to hold the Matadors (15-20, 4-8 Big West) to just one unearned run on eight hits, striking out five and walking none.
“I’m just trying to get back into the groove with it,” Thompson said. “I’m not [where I was] yet, but I feel like I’m getting back to there. It’s going to be more hard work, more focus and just keeping at it.”
Thompson recently started throwing a straight curveball, as opposed to a spike curve, and has started implementing a changeup more often. Coming into his freshman season, the young right-hander was known for having strong off-speed pitches that seemed mature beyond his 18 years. Evidence of that had been missing as of late, but reemerged Sunday, as he blanked CSUN for six straight scoreless innings.
“It’s been more effective and I feel more successful with it,” Thompson said. “The changeup was really getting them on their front foot.”
“To go six-plus innings at Northridge in this kind of offensive, park I think it outstanding,” said head coach Mike Weathers.
The bullpen saw little action all weekend, as both Andrew Liebel and Vance Worley pitched eight solid innings for wins Friday and Saturday.
“Our starting pitching was excellent this weekend,” Weathers said. “We’re going to be short wherever our starting pitchers take us.”
However, while the Dirtbags certainly showed signs of life this weekend, the level of competition they faced was much lower than usual. And the problems were still there: The Dirtbags tallied five errors on the weekend and fielded at a .957 clip. And while the return of Jason Tweedy in the second base spot was a welcome addition, the torrid Jason Corder cooled off considerably, hitting only .188 (3-for-16) with two runs, two RBIs and no extra-base hits – an extreme low considering Matador Field is amongst the most hitter-friendly collegiate parks on the West Coast.
“He’s been carrying us up until this series,” Weather said. “He didn’t stay as hot as he’s been but, on the other hand, he did have a couple ground ball RBIs and fly ball RBIs.”
The Dirtbags face off against No. 17 San Diego in a Tuesday contest at Cunningham Stadium in Linda Vista. Big West action continues Friday when the Dirtbags host cellar-dwellers Pacific at Blair Field. With darkhorse schools like UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara making a strong push for the Big West title, every game is now crucial for the Dirtbags. As the Dirtbags attempt to climb back up to the level they once were at, simplicity and basic fundamentals will aid in that task.
“It’s a simple game if you make it a simple game,” Weathers said. “Sometimes they get into their head too much and think they need things they don’t need. What they need is a bat put in their hands and to compete.”
