GAME RECAP: Cal Baptist Explodes for Eight Runs in the Second Inning, Tops Dirtbags 10-5 for 27th Win of the Season

LONG BEACH, CA – The California Baptist Lancers sent a message with one massive inning Monday night at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field. After spotting the Long Beach State Dirtbags a four-run lead in the bottom of the first, CBU erupted for eight runs in the second and never looked back, cruising to a 10-5 victory. The win pushed the Lancers to 27-6 on the season.

Long Beach State (10-21) came out swinging in the home half of the first. A wild pitch plated Trevor Goldenetz, Matt Toomey ripped a two-run single to center, and Dylan Lina’s single — helped by a throwing error — made it 4-0 Dirtbags before the Lancers even recorded an out.

CBU answered with a statement. The Lancers sent 12 batters to the plate in the top of the second and poured on eight runs to flip the script. Cole Howarth’s sacrifice fly got them on the board, Carter Eberhard drew a bases-loaded walk, and Chris Ramirez singled home another. A balk brought in two more, Riley Hunsaker delivered a two-run single, and Bryce McFeely crushed a two-run homer to deep left field to cap the outburst. Just like that, it was 8-4 Lancers.

The Dirtbags added a lone run in the seventh when Trotter Enright singled home Ty Borgogno, but CBU tacked on two insurance runs in the ninth on Matthew Bline’s two-run double.

Ryne Palmer (3-2) earned the win in relief, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings with six strikeouts and just two hits allowed after Sam Burgess’s short, bumpy start. Alex Ramos (0-2) took the loss for Long Beach State after the bullpen couldn’t contain the second-inning surge.

Offensively, Riley Hunsaker led the Lancers with three hits and two RBI, while McFeely added the big homer. Chris Ramirez chipped in two hits and an RBI. For the Dirtbags, Matt Toomey stayed hot with three hits and two RBI, but the rest of the lineup managed just three more hits on the night.

The Lancers head back home with plenty of momentum. Long Beach State will look to shake off the early-season struggles and get back on track in Big West play.