No. 24 Dirtbags Shut Out Defending National Champions in Season Opener

Friday, February 18

Starkville, Miss.

12 P.M.

Long Beach State University

1-0

Mississippi State

0-1

Long Beach State

Mississippi State

Photo by: Jared Thomas

No. 24 Dirtbags Shut Out Defending National Champions in Season Opener

2/18/2022 4:18:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score

No. 24 Long Beach State pulled off a 3-0 upset over No. 3 Mississippi State on Friday.

By: Collin Robinson, Associate Athletics Communications Director

STARKVILLE, Miss. – The No. 24 ranked Dirtbags opened up their season with a 3-0 upset victory over the defending champions and No. 3 ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs. The pitching staff was the story, combining to surrender just one hit and three total baserunners on the afternoon.

It marks heir first win over a ranked opponent in a season opener since 2008 when the team beat No. 6 Rice, 1-0, in 10 innings.

Luis Ramirez got the season opening start on the mound for the Dirtbags and was lights out at Dudy Noble Field. He retired the first 14 batters he faced before surrendering a two-out walk in the bottom of the fifth. The right-hander went on to throw six scoreless innings without allowing a hit and striking out five on the way to his first victory of the season.

Happy College Opening Day, @PitchingNinja! ??

Sincerely,@_luisramirez44

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— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) February 18, 2022

In his collegiate debut, Kaden Moeller would provide the big swing for Long Beach State in the top of the seventh. Facing Mississippi State ace and preseason All-American, Landon Sims, the power hitting lefty connected on a ball to right-center field to break the scoreless tie. It marks the first hit and home run of the freshman's career and served as the game-winning run.

They call him K-Bomber for a reason, folks.@kadenmoellerr

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— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) February 18, 2022

The Dirtbags would tack on two more runs in the top of the eighth courtesy of a Chase Luttrell RBI double and a Jonathon Long RBI single.

Working with a lead, head coach Eric Valenzuela went to the bullpen to bring on Matt Fields for the seventh and eighth innings. The senior would keep the Bulldogs off the board for both of those innings, allowing the lone hit of the day and striking out three.

With the ninth inning came Long Beach State's preseason All-American, Devereaux Harrison, to come in and close the game out. The right-hander would get a flyout, a strikeout, and a groundout to retire Mississippi State in order to secure the victory.

Another standout on the day was second baseman, Eddie Saldivar. Making his collegiate debut, he would go a perfect 3-for-3 on the day with a double, pair of singles, and a hit by pitch. All three of his hits would come off Sims through the first seven innings of the ballgame.

First knock of 2022 goes to the rookie, @EddieSaldivar3, in his first career AB!

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— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) February 18, 2022

The Dirtbags will look to take the series tomorrow afternoon at Dudy Noble Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. PT and will be broadcasted live on SEC Network Plus.