BYU, Long Beach State Look to Build Momentum in Midweek Clash

LONG BEACH, Calif. (Interstat) — The BYU Cougars and Long Beach State Dirtbags will meet in a nonconference midweek baseball game Wednesday at Blair Field, with both teams seeking consistency early in the 2026 season.

BYU (4-3) enters having split its last four games, most recently an 11-3 road win at UC Riverside on Monday. The Cougars’ offense erupted for 17 hits in that victory, led by shortstop Ryder Robinson, who went 4 for 5 with an RBI, and second baseman Luke Anderson, who drove in two runs.

A key performer for BYU is pitcher Cayson Bell, who delivered four hitless, scoreless innings of relief with four strikeouts against the Highlanders. His role will be pivotal against a Long Beach State lineup that has struggled at times.

The Dirtbags (2-5) are looking to rebound from a difficult 15-2 home loss to Cal State Bakersfield on Sunday. While the result was lopsided, reliever Mason Tymick provided a bright spot with a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out two. Tymick is a player to watch for Long Beach State out of the bullpen.

Long Beach State’s season has been marked by tight losses, including extra-inning and one-run defeats to San Diego and San Jose State, respectively. The Dirtbags’ lone win in their last five games was a 10-5 victory at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, BYU is projected to win 5-2 on Wednesday.

Following this contest, both teams will prepare for weekend series in Long Beach. BYU remains in the area to face Washington State on Thursday and Friday at Blair Field, before meeting the Dirtbags again on Saturday. Long Beach State hosts Washington State on Friday and Sunday, with Saturday’s game against BYU completing a busy stretch.

First pitch Wednesday is scheduled for 6 p.m. PST.