LBSU Baseball: A Look at the Season Ahead

Long Beach State is coming off a disappointing season, but there is hope for the year ahead. Here’s a look at what the team has to offer.

Introduction

It’s a new season of Long Beach State Dirtbags Baseball and there is a lot to be excited about. The team is coming off of a disappointing 2018 campaign in which they went 24-30 overall and 12-15 in Big West conference play However, they have a new Head Coach in Troy Buckley, who inherits a talented roster that includes several players who are expected to make an impact at the Major League Baseball level. Here’s a look at what to expect from the 2019 Dirtbags.

The Team

The Long Beach State baseball team is looking to improve on their 27-26 record from last season. They will have to do it without some key contributors from last year’s squad, including pitchers Nick Sabo (5-5, 3.86 ERA) and Darin Rufo (2-2, 3.38 ERA), who have both graduated. The Dirtbags will also be without shortstop Richard Prigatano (.258 batting average 9 stolen bases), who was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 16th round of the Major League Baseball Draft.

However, the team does return some Key Players from last year’s squad. On the mound, senior pitcher Kyle Friedrichs (4-6, 4.11 ERA) will be the ace of the staff. In the field, third baseman Jerrod Bravo (.305 batting average 3 home runs 26 RBI) and outfielder Brock Lundquist (.273 batting average 5 home runs 34 RBI) will be counted on to provide some pop in the lineup.

The Dirtbags will open up their season on February 17th with a three-game series against Pepperdine at Blair Field.

The Schedule

The Long Beach State Dirtbags will begin their 2019 season on the road against the University of Minnesota on February 15. The team will then travel to Surprise, Arizona to take on the Kansas Jayhawks in the Tony Gwynn Legacy tournament. After returning home for a three-game series against Cal Poly the Dirtbags will head back out on the road to take on UC Irvine, Pepperdine, and USC.

The Competition

Long Beach State will have their work cut out for them in 2019. The Dirtbags will play their first season in the highly competitive Big West Conference The conference features some of the best teams in the country, including Cal State Fullerton UC Santa Barbara and UC Irvine.

The Fans

Every season, thousands of fans flock to Long Beach State’s Recreation & Athletics Complex to watch the Dirtbags play ball Some come for the competitive action, others for the laid-back atmosphere, but all are there to support their team.

This season, the Dirtbags are looking to build on their strong performance from last year. They finished the season with a record of 41-19 and made it all the way to the College World Series This year, they’re ranked No. 4 in the preseason polls and are expected to make another run at the title.

The team has a lot of talent, but it will be their fans that ultimately make or break their season. So show up early, cheer loud, and be part of Long Beach State baseball tradition.

The Stadium

Long Beach State’s baseball stadium Blair Field, is located in the Eastside neighborhood of Long Beach just a few blocks from the Pacific Ocean The stadium has been home to the Dirtbags since 1954 and is currently undergoing a $12 million renovation that will be completed in time for the 2020 season. The project includes a new scoreboard, improved lighting, bleacher seating for 1,200 fans, and a new press box.

The Coaching Staff

The 2020 Long Beach State baseball coaching staff features head coach Troy Buckley, who is entering his 12th season at the helm of the program. Coach Buckley has led the Dirtbags to five NCAA regional appearances, including a trip to the 2016 College World Series Associate Head Coach Greg Bergeron is in his eighth season with the program and was promoted to associate Head coach prior to the 2019 season. Bergeron has helped guide the Dirtbags to four NCAA Regional appearances, including a trip to the 2016 College World Series

The Media Coverage

It’s no secret that the Long Beach State Baseball Team is one of the best in the country. They have won multiple National Championships and have produced some of the best MLB talent in recent years

The team is always highly ranked in the preseason polls and this year is no different, as they are currently ranked No. 6 in the country by Baseball America

With such high expectations, there is always a lot of media coverage surrounding the team. This can be both good and bad, as it can provide more exposure for the program but also add more pressure on the players and Coaching Staff

One thing is for sure, though, and that is that the media coverage of LBSU baseball will be intense this season. So let’s take a look at some of the things that will be covered.

The Prospects

The Prospects
As the 2019 season rapidly approaches, the Dirtbags have started to release their preliminary roster. Here is a look at some key returners, as well as some newcomers who are looking to make an impact.

Pitching
Led by staff ace John Sheppard, the Dirtbags pitching staff looks to be in good shape heading into the new season. Sheppard, who was recently named to the Big West Preseason All-Conference team, is coming off a strong junior campaign in which he posted a 3.62 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 104 innings pitched Other key returners on the mound include left-hander Darren Nelson and right-handers Andre Pallante and Kyle Nowell. Nelson will likely be used primarily out of the bullpen after starting nine games a year ago, while Pallante and Nowell will look to build on successful freshman campaigns in which they combined for nine wins and a 3.82 ERA.

Conclusion

The Dirtbags have a lot to live up to this season after their disappointing end to last year. With a strong returning core of players and some promising newcomers, they have the potential to do big things. It will be interesting to see how they fare against some tough competition early on in the season. Regardless of how the season plays out, it should be a fun one to watch for Dirtbag fans.