Long Beach State, Fresno State Meet in Nonconference Matchup

FRESNO, Calif. (Interstat) — The Long Beach State Dirtbags and Fresno State Bulldogs, two teams looking to build momentum, will meet in a nonconference baseball game Monday at Selland Arena.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. PDT.

Long Beach State (8-15) arrives after splitting a four-game road series at Cal State Bakersfield, capped by a 5-1 win Sunday. Fresno State (7-14) seeks to end a six-game skid following a 10-inning, 8-7 loss at Utah Tech on Friday.

The spotlight will be on the mound, where Long Beach State’s Jason Gerfers is expected to start. The right-hander is coming off a historic performance Sunday, throwing a complete-game no-hitter with 12 strikeouts in the win over Cal State Bakersfield. Over his last two starts, he has allowed just one earned run and four hits over 18 innings with 19 strikeouts.

Fresno State will counter with reliever Wyatt Thornbury as its probable starter. The right-hander has struggled recently, allowing earned runs in four of his last five appearances out of the bullpen. However, he provided two scoreless innings of relief in Friday’s extra-inning loss.

Offensively, the Dirtbags will look to outfielders Smith Chandler and Trevor Goldenetz, who each drove in a run in Sunday’s victory. The Bulldogs’ bullpen, which got scoreless outings from Douglas Crystal and Victor Arreola alongside Thornbury in the Utah Tech series, will need to contain Long Beach State’s lineup.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Long Beach State is projected to win 3-0.

Following Monday’s game, Long Beach State opens a three-game home series against UC Irvine on Friday. Fresno State hits the road to begin a three-game series at New Mexico on Friday.