RIVERSIDE--- Slow and steady was the way to win on Tuesday evening at Totman Stadium as the California Baptist baseball program picked up a midweek 9-7 win over Long Beach State. Despite the Dirtbags taking a four-run lead in the second inning, CBU's offense brought in a few runs almost every other inning to secure the victory and even the season series 1-1. The Lancers are now 29-24 on the season, while Long Beach drops to 22-28.
A second-inning grand slam led the Dirtbags to a quick and early lead that they added to in the top of the third with another solo home run. The hot offense sizzled out until the top of the eighth for the visitors, and despite plating two more runs, the deficit was too much to overcome. CBU's low and slow cooking started in the bottom of the second after Ben Castelli crossed home plate for the Lancers' first run of the day. A solo shot from Jake Brown and a two-RBI single from Trevor Spainhoward saw another three runs for the Lancers in the bottom of the fourth.
Chris Ramirez came in clutch per usual in the sixth with the tying run after he battled the Dirtbag pitcher to eight pitchers before hitting a chopper to the shortstop and beating out the throw. The Lancers took complete control of the game in the seventh with four runs, highlighted by a Castelli RBI single to take the lead. Jacob Wilson closed out the night from the mound for CBU's pitching staff and gave up just one hit across 1.2 innings, earning his second save of the season.
Castelli's three hits were the most of the night for the CBU offense, while Ramirez and Brown both posted two hits apiece. The Lancer pitching staff combined for 11 strikeouts, with David Vizcaino leading the way with four across two innings.
California Baptist will begin preparing to welcome Abilene Christian for the regular season series finale, which requires CBU to sweep the Wildcats for a chance at a first-round bye. The final home series is set to begin on Thursday at 6 p.m.
