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Friday: Dirtbags 3, UC Irvine 2

Saturday Dirtbags 3, UC Irvine 4 (11 innings):
LongBeachState.com
Long Beach Press-Telegram
UC Irvine website
Box Score

Saturday Dirtbags 10, UC Irvine 0:
LongBeachState.com
Long Beach Press-Telegram
UC Irvine website
Box Score

...Is it just me, or is it not ridiculous to be freezing your buns off in southern California on a mid-April Saturday evening?!

...The Dirtbags were just a tad off their game on Saturday. Given the results on Sunday, I'd say it was just a bump in the road. It sure was a shame, though, to see Marco Estrada put in another outstanding performance and come up with another no-decision. His luck has to turn soon, luck created by some fine pitching efforts. Marco's ERA is now 1.77 in 11 appearances, 10 of them starts.

...Boy did our side need Sunday! The Beach crushed the ball, belting 16 hits, 6 of them doubles (1 each for Danny Mocny, Sean Boatright, Brandon Godfrey, Tito Cruz, Jaime Huizar and Steve Velazco), and a homerun (Sean Boatright's 1st of the season). Five players had multiple hits, led by Brandon with 4 (and an RBI) and Tito with 3 (and 2 RBIs). Sean went 2 for 5, the 2 being his double and homer, and drove in 3.

...Jared Hughes was nearly unhittable. Literally. The box score says he gave up 2 hits. To be indelicate, the UC Irvine official scorer ought to make an appointment to get his eyes (or head) examined. Early in the game, a comebacker was hit to Jared. It deflected off his glove and he was unable to make a play for the out. It should have been scored an error, but instead it went down as a hit. The Anteaters did get a legitimate hit in the 9th inning. The only thing good I can say about that is that it kept me from popping a gasket over denying Jared a no-hitter he would have rightly been entitled to. None of which takes away from his amazing effort. With 123 pitches, he recorded a complete game shutout, struck out 10 and walked none.

...The Dirtbags fans in attendance got some entertainment from Coach Mike Weathers on Sunday. Brandon Godfrey attempted a stolen base in the middle innings (I can't remember which). The ump at 2nd called him out on a tag that clearly looked too late. As the ump made his way to the 3rd base line, Coach Weathers slowly jogged almost to the pitcher's mound, then walked at a leisurely pace out to 3rd. The "argument" that ensued looked more like a patient teacher instructing a student who just can't quite understand the concept. The result, one of the more predictable in baseball, was no change in the decision. As Coach Weathers walked back to the 1st base dugout at a pace that would challenge a 10 year old going to confess throwing a ball through the neighbor's window, UCI fans grumbled and Dirtbags fans cheered. Coach Weathers stopped at the 1st base foul line and scratched his shoe in the dirt for a few moments to cheers and laughter from the faithful...then donned his cap to the stands. It was hilarious, and couldn't have helped but loosen up the guys on the bench. I gotta give him credit for a great sense of theater!