Report by LBSU

Steve Tinoco and TJ Mittlestaedt each had a pair of hits for Long Beach State, but starter Jake Thompson ran into early trouble against the Mustangs, giving up four runs in the second inning and the Dirtbags could never get any closer in an 8-4 loss.

A leadoff hit marked the start of Long Beach State’s troubles in the second inning, as Justin Hadlock’s double was the first of five straight hits for Cal Poly in the big inning for the Mustangs. Back-to-back single brought home the first run of the inning, and after a triple by JJ Thompson scored two more runs, a double by Luke Yoder made the score 4-0.

Hits from the first batter in each of the third and fourth innings would lead to two more runs, and Cal Poly would take a 6-0 lead before Long Beach State climbed onto the board with a run in the fifth inning.

Cal Poly answered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning, however, to take an 8-1 lead going into the sixth.

Working four walks in the inning from Cal Poly starting pitcher DJ Mauldin, Long Beach State cut the lead back to four and had the bases loaded with two outs. However, that threat was turned aside by Mustang reliever Jeff Johnson. After the Dirtbags failed to score with runners at second and third in the seventh inning, Johnson pitched extremely well and retired the final six batters in order to earn a three-inning save.

Long Beach State and Cal Poly will play one final game Sunday at Baggett Stadium. First pitch in the rubber game is scheduled for 1 p.m.