Long Beach State 49ers
Overall Rank: #10
Conference Rank: #1 Big West
Long Beach State will hope to build off their postseason trip from 2016. The 49ers played very well in the Coral Gables Regional, losing twice to host Miami in one run games. LBSU may have the opportunity to host a regional this year thanks to the return of Big West Pitcher of the Year Darren McCaughan. The junior went 10-1 in 16 starts last season, boasting a 2.03 ERA. Coach Troy Buckley will need to replace starters Tanner Brown and Chris Mathewson, but there are options and the bullpen is in decent shape with Chris Rivera and his 13 saves returning.
2016: 38-22, 15-9
2016 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Troy Buckley
Key Departed Players:
Tanner Brown, P, 3.16 ERA, 91.0 IP, 60 SO
Chris Mathewson, P, 3.62 ERA, 104.1 IP, 107 SO
Garrett Hampson, .302 BA, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 23 SB
Zack Domingues, .294 BA, 0 HR, 15 RBI
Key Returning Players:
Darren McCaughan, P, 2.03 ERA, 111.0 IP, 84 SO
Chris Rivera, P, 4.60 ERA, 29.1 IP, 21 SO, 13 SV
Daniel Jackson, 1B/C, .321 BA, 6 HR, 34 RBI
Brock Lundquist, OF, .315 BA, 3 HR, 36 RBI
Luke Rasmussen, 1B/OF, .305 BA, 5 HR, 46 RBI
Jarren Duran, IF, .272 BA, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 13 SB
Alex Muzzi, OF, .225 BA, 1 HR, 17 RBI
Projection:
The Dirtbags had one of the more potent offenses in the Big West last season and most of that talent is returning. Daniel Jackson, Brock Lundquist and Luke Rasmussen are all back and hit over .300 last season. Jackson led the way with a .321 average and belted a team high six homeruns. Lundquist added three homeruns and led the team with 18 doubles and 102 total bases. It was Rasmussen who did the best job of driving in the runs, leading the way with 46 RBIs. Those three will lead what will be a very good offense and they will get plenty of help from Jarren Duran, Alex Muzzi and David Banuelos. Those three were regular starters last season and will help make this a very tough lineup to contain from top to bottom. As long as Long Beach State can find a couple more starters to compliment McCaughan, this team will compete for a Big West title and be a dangerous team in the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Baseball Tournament
