Complete game shutout from Darren McCaughan lifts Dirtbags to another series win

LONG BEACH >> The Long Beach State Dirtbags clinched their 11th weekend series in 13 tries this season by shutting out San Jose State 2-0 at Blair Field on Saturday, thanks to a dominant performance from starter Darren McCaughan.

The sophomore right-hander tossed his first collegiate complete game and allowed only one hit, a fifth-iing single, while striking out six and not issuing a walk.

“I’m so happy for (McCaughan) because he’s had one hell of a year,” Dirtbags head coach Troy Buckley said of his Saturday starter. “I always say Saturday is the most important day. You’re wiing a series or keeping yourself in it. McCaughan has been that guy for us, and he’s as consistent as they come.”

McCaughan, who only needed 102 pitches for the shutout, threw 74 strikes and had first-pitch strikes on 21 of the 29 batters he faced. He used nine pitches to get through the eighth iing, and 10 in the ninth. It was the first complete-game shutout for a Dirtbags starting pitcher in five years.

“I just wanted to attack guys,” McCaughan said. “I’ve got great defense behind me. I’m just seeing how many groundballs I can get because (the guys behind me) are going to go get it regardless of where it goes.”

The Dirtbags (30-18) have not made an error this weekend, and McCaughan benefited from a phenomenal diving catch by left fielder Brock Lundquist to end the second iing. McCaughan did hit a batter in the top of the first iing, but both baseruers were stranded at first base.

His WHIP (Walks Plus Hits Per Iing) is now down to 0.80. The only hit for San Jose State (16-35) came from designated hitter Justin Beck.

Dirtbags freshmen Jarren Duran and Brooks Stotler combined for the first run of the game in the bottom of the third iing. Stotler drilled the first pitch he saw into the left-field coer for a one-out double. After a fielder’s choice advanced him, Duran’s chopper to the right side forced an error that allowed Stotler to score.

Senior Zach Rivera drove in the other run in the seventh iing with a sacrifice fly that scored designated hitter Luke Rasmussen. With two singles, Rasmussen extended his hitting streak to 14 games, the longest of the season for the Dirtbags, and the sophomore has reached base in 20 consecutive games. Lundquist extended his hitting streak to 12 games.

This is the second time under sixth-year coach Buckley that LBSU has won 30 games, and just the fourth time in the last 10 years.

The Dirtbags conclude the three-game nonconference at 1 p.m. today at Blair Field.

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