Baseball avoids sweep, beat Dirtbags in 10 innings
After two debacles in a row out at Long Beach State against the Dirtbags that resulted in 3-2 and 7-2 losses to open the season, Michigan avoided getting swept earlier and picked up their first win of the this young 2015 season.
Thankfully it was not a repeat of Friday night. Michigan broke a scorless tie in the 4th inning off of a Eric Jacobson single to claim a 3-0 lead. However, in the bottom of the 9th, Long Beach State tied the game at 3 after Michigan held a 3-2 for the majority of the game.
Thankfully, preseason All-American Jacob Cronenworth hit a 2-run homer in the top of the 10th to give Michigan a 5-3 lead an ultimately the win.
Michigan will head back across the country to Greenville, NC for the Keith LeClair Classic. Michigan will face #25 Liberty on Friday, East Carolina on Saturday in a road game and St. John's on Sunday.
February 15th, 2015 at 9:17 PM ^
Had to Google "Dirtbags." From the title I thought you were referring to tOSU.
Always good to beat the Dirtbags.
February 15th, 2015 at 10:22 PM ^
Even though I first saw it on the official M team twitter (shocking!). Fortunately the warm-up photo tempted me to look further. Here's the LBSU website with the official history, plus quotes from team alumni-- including a couple MLB pitchers you may have heard of-- giving it their personal spin. [As posted below, it's the baseball nickname only. Their other teams are called the 49'ers.]
February 15th, 2015 at 9:21 PM ^
That's a good Long Beach State squad, this year's team is looking good early. Congrats to UM senior Donnie Eaton on his first win!
February 15th, 2015 at 9:27 PM ^
Why would any school give themselves the name "dirtbags"?
February 15th, 2015 at 9:38 PM ^
It's an unofficial nickname that just the Baseball program at LBST uses. They had a dream season where they went to the CWS despite not having a homefield to use, and they practiced on an all-dirt field. So, they got covered in dirt, won a bunch of games, and rallied around a scrappy nickname.
February 15th, 2015 at 10:11 PM ^
Cool, never knew the meaning, thanks for sharing.
February 15th, 2015 at 10:31 PM ^
Also it's a double reference to the fact bases in the old days were called "dirtbags".
February 15th, 2015 at 10:35 PM ^
LBST - geez, I took that as lesbian bi sexually transmitted.
February 16th, 2015 at 12:21 AM ^
Don't they know theyre doing it wrong?
You have to come up with a marketing plan first, then seek government funding, THEN you can hire a focus group to come up with a name that has some real demographic reach and sponsorship synergy.
February 15th, 2015 at 9:29 PM ^
dirtbags?
February 15th, 2015 at 9:42 PM ^
Needed that win! A sweep is never good to start off a season. (Except I'm used to sweeps as a cubs fan. 2015 is the year though.) Go Blue, Go Cubs!
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February 15th, 2015 at 11:00 PM ^
I went to the game today with a U of M grad buddy. Cool little stadium they have. They are very proud to call themselves Dirtbags. Their fans are also pretty damn passionate. A few liquored up "dirtbags" behind us were unfortunately living up to their nickname and right in front of their little league age kids. It was a great win. Go Blue.
February 16th, 2015 at 1:21 AM ^
Pretty cool to hear someone here went to the game. I was born and raised there. Saw more dirtbags games than I can remember...including a few gems tossed by Jared Weaver. Glad they got beat tonight, though! Go Blue!
February 15th, 2015 at 11:15 PM ^
The weather is supposed to be chilly this weekend in NC. Anyone headed to Greenville?
February 16th, 2015 at 12:11 AM ^
that UM hired a very good baseball coach/manager & has been bringing in a bit of legit talent. College baseball is ruled by few schools that have any athletic prowess beyond baseball. For every FSU you have two dozen Long Beach State type schools. That said, I ask anyone truly in the know if UM has positioned itself to eventually be a perennial top 25 (or higher) baseball program? I know the state of Michigan produces baseball talent at about the same level it does football in relation to other states - it's average/above average. I know the warm weather states (Cali, Florida, Texas, etc) is where most if it comes from. I've been reading if good recruiting classes but are they good by "UM standards" or "National standards"? Are we potentially a rising power, a sleeping giant or a solid conference team? Thanks.
February 16th, 2015 at 12:55 AM ^
This conference has been a complete non-factor in the World Series picture.
Indiana in 2013 was the B1G's first CWS team since Michigan........ in 1984.
When you don't play a true home game until 2 months into the season, it's hard to get top recruits.
Winning the B1G/B1G Tournament and gettingninto the NCAA or maybe even stealing a regional championship is the pinnacle for B1G teams now. It's just not realistic to talk about national championships in baseball anymore in the Midwest. That's why it's a huge deal when someone from this conference and region makes the World Series. Like a Kent State or an Indiana.
February 16th, 2015 at 4:06 PM ^
kind of what I assumed
February 16th, 2015 at 1:13 AM ^
Just a quick note: Cronenworth had a 2 RBI single in the 10th, not a 2 run HR.
February 16th, 2015 at 1:52 AM ^
So great to see so much maize and blue at the game. Sat next to the mother of one of the new coaches who had traveled down from the Bay Area. She said she was amazed at how well UM fans represented over the weekend series. Watching UM athletics in sunny SoCal = Awesome.
February 16th, 2015 at 9:26 AM ^
Arm issues or Coaches Decision?
February 16th, 2015 at 11:20 AM ^
Michigan played Long Beach State in football.
February 16th, 2015 at 11:29 AM ^
I played softball against a team named, "The Dirtbags," a few years ago. They had t-shirts and hats and I was real impressed until I found out they stole their name from the LBSU.
I like the LB hat. I know it's just another interlocking letter combo (a la NY, LA, StL, etc.) but it's one of my favorites.
February 16th, 2015 at 11:54 AM ^
You dirtbags have been in 3rd place for 5 years