LONG BEACH, Calif. (Interstat) — Jason Gerfers delivered a masterful complete-game performance, and Dylan Lina provided the decisive run as Long Beach State edged Hawaii 2-1 in a tightly contested Big West Conference baseball game Sunday evening at Blair Field.

The victory gave the Dirtbags a series win, taking two of three from the Warriors after splitting the first two games of the weekend set.

Gerfers, a right-hander for Long Beach State, was the story of the night. He dominated over nine innings, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out seven and walking none. He faced only four batters over the minimum, efficiently neutralizing a Hawaii lineup that had produced 17 runs in the series’ first two games. This outing was a stark turnaround for Gerfers, who lasted just 3 2/3 innings in his previous start against UC Santa Barbara.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the bottom of the fifth inning, breaking a 1-1 deadlock. After Gerfers had worked out of a jam in the top half, the Dirtbags mounted their winning rally against Hawaii reliever Brody Martin-Grudzielanek. With one out, Jake Evans doubled to put runners on second and third. Following a fly out, Lina was intentionally walked to load the bases. Alex Toomey then lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Chase Goldenetz with what proved to be the winning run.

Hawaii had taken an early lead in the fourth inning. After Jordan Nahaku was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a single by Ben Zeigler-Namoa, Elijah Ickes drove him in with an RBI single. That was the only blemish on Gerfers’ line, as the Warriors managed just two more hits the rest of the way.

Long Beach State’s offense was quiet but timely, managing only three hits. Their first run came in the second inning when Lina launched a solo home run to deep left field off Hawaii starter Liam O’Brien, tying the game. O’Brien pitched four innings, allowing two runs on no hits, but struggled with command, walking five. Hawaii’s bullpen of Martin-Grudzielanek and John Alkire was superb in relief, combining for four hitless innings with six strikeouts, but the Warriors could not solve Gerfers.

Hawaii threatened in the ninth inning when Zeigler-Namoa led off with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Gerfers, however, induced a fly out and two groundouts to seal the complete-game victory, stranding the tying run at third base.

With the loss, Hawaii falls to 9-7 overall. Long Beach State improves to 6-13. The Warriors travel to face UC Santa Barbara for a three-game series starting Friday. The Dirtbags host a doubleheader against Loyola Marymount on Tuesday.