The top four hitters for the Long Beach State baseball team went 0-15 against the University of Southern California Trojans in a 4-2 loss Tuesday night at Blair Field.
Center fielder Brennan Metzger was the only offensive spark on the evening, collecting three of the Dirtbags (2-2) five hits on the night against Trojans starting pitcher, Brandon Garcia who pitched 5.2 innings allowing just two runs while striking out four.
“We didn’t string together enough quality hits,” said Dirtbags head coach Troy Buckley. “Our bats disappeared a bit.”
After a scoreless first inning, the Trojans (4-0) were first to crack the scoreboard when designated hitter Jake Hernandez drove in outfielder Alex Sherrod on a line drive double down the right field line in the second inning off of LBSU starter Nick Sabo
Following the score, the Dirtbags answered back when a balk from Garcia allowed Metzger to score from third, moving right fielder Juan Avila into scoring position on second.
Left fielder Robert Prigatano then reached on an error and catcher Royce Murai drove in Avila on a bloop single to center field, giving LBSU its only lead of the night.
In the top of the third, back-to-back base hits from Trojan outfielders Garret Houts and Garret Stubbs led to catcher Kevin Roundtree driving in Houts from second on a single to tie the game.
After a scoreless third inning for the Dirtbags, USC shortstop James Roberts knocked in right fielder Alex Sherrod on a fielder’s choice to second base to take a 3-2 lead in the fourth.
Sabo was pulled in the fourth after giving up three runs (two earned), on seven hits while striking out one and walking one.
In the top of the fifth, LBSU left fielder Richard Prigatano led off the inning with an infield bunt base hit that shot past third basemen Kevin Swick. A sacrifice bunt from catcher Royce Murai moved Prigatano to scoring position on second.
The sacrifice was followed by a fielder’s choice from second basemen Jeff McNeil which moved Prigatano to third. With the Dirtbags threatening to tie the game, Garcia struck out third basemen Michael Hill, stranding Prigatano on third.
After getting the first two outs of the inning, Garcia was pulled from the game after giving up another hit to Metzger. Brad Douthit replaced Garcia to pitch to Dirtbag pinch hitter Jonathan Kim. Kim was unable to keep the inning alive, however, grounding out to first base.
In the top of the seventh Dirtbags pitcher Jake Stassi retired the first two hitters of the inning but couldn’t do the same to first basemen Matt Foat. Foat ripped a ground-rule double over the center field wall and scored after two wild pitches from Stassi, giving the Trojans a 4-2 lead.
After the game, Buckley said that the two wild pitches from Stassi were not missed signs.
There wasn’t much more action throughout the rest of the game. The Trojans managed to get the bases loaded after three consecutive base hits off of Dirtbag pitcher Eddie Magallon in the top of the ninth. Magallon was able to get Foat to ground into an inning ending double play.
When asked whether shaking up the lineup to get more production was an option Buckley said,” Some of these guys have proven themselves. To press the panic button now would be pushing it.”
LBSU will welcome the University of California, Berkeley this weekend for a three-game series kicking off Friday night at Blair Field at 6:30 p.m.