Long Beach State pounded out nine extra-base hits and eight singles to defeat UC Riverside 8-5 on Saturday night, evening the series at one game apiece. Brennan Metzger tied a school-record with three doubles and Kirk Singer hit his second home run of the season for Long Beach State, capping a four-run eighth inning for the Dirtbags.

The Dirtbags had eight doubles on the day, and TJ Mittelstaedt got the action started in the second inning with a leadoff double. The senior would come around to score after back-to-back singles from Steve Tinoco and Jonathan Jones to give the Dirtbags a 1-0 lead.

Two more runs would come across for The Beach in the third inning courtesy of a two-run double by Tinoco, as the Dirtbag first baseman accounted for the first three RBI on the day for Long Beach State. UC Riverside would answer with a score in the bottom half after a leadoff triple from Trevor Hairgrove.

The two starters, Jake Thompson and Dustin Emmons breezed through the next two innings and would remain mostly in control as Long Beach State moved out to a 4-3 lead. Emmons continued to throw after his pitch count reached over 100, however, and the Dirtbags finally took advantage in the eighth.

Jones started off the inning with a hard double down the left field line, and Jordan Casas followed with a double over the head of first baseman Brian McConkey after a pitching change from the Highlanders. After a sacrifice from Hoime, Metzger followed with his third double of the day, and Singer capped the rally by hitting a huge home run to left field and giving the Dirtbags an 8-3 lead.

UC Riverside spoiled Thompson’s complete game bid by scoring a pair of runs with one out in the ninth inning, but Jason Markovitz struck out McConkey and pinch hitter Trent Jemmet with runners on the corners to pick up his first save of the season.

Metzger’s three doubles tied five other Dirtbags for the school record for doubles in a game. He joined good company in the feat with the last three players to hit three doubles all reaching the major leagues in Jeff Liefer, Terrmel Sledge and Bobby Crosby.

The Dirtbags and the Highlanders return to the Riverside Sports Complex for the rubber game between the two teams Sunday beginning at 2 p.m.