GAME RECAP: Gerfers Strikes Out 7 in Complete Game Gem as Dirtbags Take Series Over Hawai’i

LONG BEACH, CA – Jason Gerfers was lights out on the mound, delivering a complete-game masterpiece with seven strikeouts as the Long Beach State Dirtbags edged the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field. The victory allowed the Dirtbags to clinch the three-game Big West series 2-1 after splitting the first two contests.

Gerfers (now 1-1) went the full nine innings, scattering just four hits and one earned run while issuing two walks. He threw 123 pitches, recording 10 groundouts and nine flyouts to keep the Rainbow Warriors in check all day long. It was a dominant outing that carried a shorthanded Dirtbags offense that managed only three hits but drew seven walks and cashed in on timely opportunities.

The Dirtbags struck first in the bottom of the second. Dylan Lina launched a solo home run to deep left field, giving LBSU an early 1-0 lead. Hawai’i answered in the fourth when Kamana Nahaku reached base and came around to score on Elijah Ickes’ RBI single, knotting the game at 1-1.

Long Beach State regained the lead for good in the fifth. Trevor Goldenetz reached and eventually crossed the plate on Matt Toomey’s sacrifice fly, making it 2-1. That was all the offense Gerfers would need.

From there, the freshman right-hander locked in. He retired 15 of the final 16 batters he faced, stranding runners and preventing any late heroics despite Hawai’i collecting four hits total. The Rainbow Warriors managed just one run on the day and left five runners on base.

Offensively, Lina went 1-for-2 with the homer and two walks. Jake Evans added a double and a stolen base, while the rest of the lineup showed patience at the plate to manufacture the go-ahead run. The Dirtbags’ defense was flawless, committing zero errors.

With the series-clinching win, Long Beach State improves to 6-13 overall and 2-4 in Big West play. Hawai’i falls to 10-9 (1-5 Big West). After dropping the opener 11-1 on Friday, the Dirtbags bounced back with a 7-6 thriller on Saturday and closed it out behind Gerfers’ gem on Sunday.

This series triumph provides a much-needed boost for the Dirtbags pitching staff and gives them momentum as conference play continues. Gerfers’ complete-game effort stands out as one of the early highlights of the 2026 season.