Long Beach, Calif. – Long Beach State's Darren McCaughan struck out ten batters and scattered five hits over six innings, as the 21
st-ranked Dirtbags opened a three-game series with the Fordham Rams with a 6-0 victory at Blair Field.
With the loss, Fordham fell to 1-3 on the season, while LBSU improved to 2-3.
Fordham fell behind quickly in the first inning, as the Dirtbags, ranked 21
st by
Baseball America, scored four times with some aggressive baserunning. Long Beach State started the scoring with an RBI-single by Brock Lundquist and then netted a run on a bases loaded balk. The Dirtbags then picked up two runs on a sacrifice fly by Daniel Jackson for the 4-0 lead.
LBSU added a pair of insurance runs on an error and a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning for the 6-0 final.
Fordham managed five hits in the game, four of which were doubles, but could only get a baserunner to third once in the game.
Justin Bardwell led the offense, going 2-for-3 with a double, while
Luke Stampfl,
Brian Goulard, and
Reiss Knehr each had a double.
Mike Cowell (0-1) was the hard luck loser, as he settled in after the tough first inning. He went five innings, allowing four runs on five hits with a season-high five strikeouts.
Brandon Martin (1 IP, 0 R),
Shane McDonald (0.2 IP, 2 R), and
Parker Barnell (1.1 IP, 0 R) also pitched in the game.
The same two teams will meet for game two of the series on Saturday at 5:00 PM ET.
