Long Beach State Media Release
LONG BEACH– Tyson Ross (4-0) out dueled Andrew Liebel (2-1) as No. 11-ranked California (16-5-1) won the opener of the three-game series with No. 4-ranked Long Beach State (17-5), 6-1. It was the first time an opponent has won an opening game of a three-game series against the Dirtbags this season.
Ross gave up five hits and struck out six over eight shutout innings. Ross produced 14 groundballs, including two double plays that ended LBSU threats in the middle innings. Ross began the game with three perfect innings and retired another seven in a row.
In the sixth he put two runners on and in the seventh, loaded the bases, but each time ended the inning with a double play ball.
Liebel, who gave up five of his six runs over the first four innings, ended up pitching 7.2 innings, giving up six runs on 12 hits.
A sacrifice fly by Josh Satin gave the Bears a 1-0 lead in the first, before Dylan Tonneson’s solo home run in the second, made it 2-0. Cal then scored three runs on five hits, including two on the infield, in the fourth to lead 5-0. Two errors in the third inning led to two unearned runs.
Jonathan Jones singled in the third inning, breaking up Ross’ perfect game, as he has now hit in 10-straight games as a starter. Jones finished with two of the six hits and a walk.
The Northern California road trip continues in Berkeley on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m., at Stanford on Monday at 4 p.m. and at Fresno State on Tuesday at 6 p.m
