Jimenez Launches Walkoff Homer to Secure Series Win over Hawai’i

Saturday, March 19

Long Beach, Calif.

3 P.M.

Long Beach State University

10-7, 2-0

Hawai'i

6-12, 0-2

Hawai'i

Long Beach State

Photo by: John Fajardo

Jimenez Launches Walkoff Homer to Secure Series Win over Hawai’i

3/19/2022 7:49:00 PM | Baseball

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Senior Chris Jimenez walked it off for the Dirtbags in the bottom of the tenth inning.

By: Collin Robinson, Associate Athletics Communications Director

LONG BEACH, Calif. – A ninth inning rally set up an extra inning walkoff home run for Chris Jimenez as the Dirtbags (10-7, 2-0 Big West) secured the series over Hawai'i (6-12, 0-2 Big West) on Saturday night. The victory is the fifth straight for Long Beach State as they are now winners of eight of our last nine.

Jimenez was the hero in game two of the series as he sent a ball 102mph deep over the left field wall giving the Dirtbags the walkoff win in 10 innings. It is his second home run of the season and the fourth of his career. He finished the day 2-for-2 at the plate after entering as a defensive replacement in the sixth inning.

Walkoff BOMB! @ChrisJimenez32_ pic.twitter.com/I0iNKaPL9f
— LBSU Dirtbags (@LBDirtbags) March 20, 2022

Of course, the Dirtbags had to score two runs in the bottom of the ninth to get there. The Hawai'i pitching staff struggled with command as Pontes walked the bases loaded before being removed. His replacement then walked Tyler Porter and Jesse Lopez consecutively to tie the game at 4-4 and set the stage for Jimenez' walkoff.

On the mound, Jack Noble struggled a bit with his command. However, he still turned in six innings allowing four runs on six hits while striking out seven. The bullpen picked him up as Dalton Ponce, Jonathan Carlos, Josh Haley, and Devereaux Harrison all recorded a scoreless frame to shut the Rainbow Warrior offense late in the game.

Offensively beyond Jimenez, Eddie Saldivar went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and Tanner Carlson went 1-for-3 with an RBI, run scored, and a walk. Peyton Schulze and Jonathon Long also recorded knocks in the victory.

Going back to last year, the Dirtbags have now won five straight Big West series and will look for the series sweep in tomorrow's finale. First pitch from Bohl Diamond at Blair Field is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. live on ESPN+.