It was the inaugural Opening Day for the Long Beach Coast at a sold-out Bohl Diamond at Blair Field on Tuesday, as the city’s new professional baseball team took the field at home for the first time in a revamped stadium adorned in coastal teal coloring and branding.
What had already been a highly anticipated home debut became even more exciting after the team’s impressive 9-3 road trip to open the season, and the Coast couldn’t have scripted a better way to introduce itself to the city Tuesday night against Pioneer League opponent RedPocket Mobiles.
With more than 3,000 fans in attendance including Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch, the Coast did its part to make it a memorable night for baseball fans in the city, dominating the Mobiles in a 13-4 victory in the franchise’s first ever home game.
“It was a great environment. I don’t expect it to be a packed house every night, but boy, it sure was a lively atmosphere,” said Coast manager Troy Percival. “My boys show up every day, and whether it’s empty or packed they’re going to play the same game everyday. They have a lot of heart and they’re my favorite team I’ve ever coached right now. They don’t quit.”
It was difficult to know what to expect from the Pioneer League for fans seeing the league in person for the first time, but the quality of play quickly became evident. Entering the night near the top of the league standings, the Coast showcased its explosive offense with 11 hits while also flashing its defensive prowess with multiple highlight-reel catches and pickoffs.
Second baseman Jacob Jablonski was responsible for three of the team’s 11 hits, earning Player of the Game honors after going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBIs. The Southern California native also hit one of the Coast’s two home runs and finished a double shy of the cycle in front of the sold-out crowd.
“You could just feel it in your bones,” Jablonski said of the atmosphere. “It was juiced, and every little thing you did, you could hear the roar of the crowd. We’re living the dream, and it’s just a blast—especially in this environment and on this beautiful field. You really can’t ask for anything better.”
The first hit in Coast home history came from shortstop Anthony Mata, who singled in the first inning, though Long Beach was unable to capitalize. After surrendering a run in the top of the second, the Coast answered with its first run scored at home when catcher Thomas McCaffrey launched a home run to right field—the first homer in franchise history at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field.
That sparked the Coast’s biggest rally of the night, as a pair of hit batters and a walk loaded the bases with one out in that same inning. Outfielder Eddy Pelc then lined an RBI single to right field to extend the lead before Mata followed with a two-run double in the next at-bat. Cooper Vest added an RBI sacrifice fly later in the inning, giving the Coast a 5-1 advantage through two frames.
The Coast added to its lead in four more innings, including a pair of runs in the third after a single from McCaffrey set up a two-run homer by Jablonski. Eddy Pelc then chipped in with a two-run double in the fifth, while Jablonski added to the lead with an RBI triple in the sixth before coming around to score when the throw got away at third base.
Center fielder Emilio Corona capped the scoring in the eighth inning, ripping a two-run triple to deep center field to extend the Coast’s lead to its final, 13-4.
“We’ve just been going crazy as a team,” Jablonski said. “If it’s not me, it’s another guy. If it’s not him, it’s somebody else. We’ve just been going down the line and I think that’s what makes a good team. I’ve played with a lot of these guys in previous seasons, so we have a lot of chemistry even though spring training was short. It’s a good time right now and we’re hoping to continue it.”
Alongside Jablonski, Pelc also had a big night going 2-for-4 with a run and three RBIs. McCaffrey went 2-for-5 at the plate with three runs and an RBI, while Corona and Mata each had a pair of RBIs.
The Coast received a strong outing on the mound from left-hander Brett Wozniak, who earned the win after allowing four runs on nine hits across five innings. Julien Hernandez and Cole Cressend then combined for four scoreless innings out of the bullpen, surrendering just one hit apiece.
Off the field, the fan experience was just as impressive as the team’s performance, as fans lined up well before the gates opened and packed concession stands throughout the night, with waits reportedly reaching as long as an hour. The stadium’s video board featured a unique scorebug along with interactive games and crowd-prompt videos, while a host kept fans engaged between innings with contests involving both spectators in the stands and participants on the field.
Percival previously coached at UC Riverside before spending two seasons in the Pioneer League with the Idaho Falls Chukars, and said Tuesday night’s atmosphere ranked among the best he’s experienced in the league.
“I absolutely loved everything about tonight,” he said. “I’ve coached against Long Beach here in college and they’ve got great fans, but tonight was a whole other level. It was just an absolutely great environment to play in.”
The Coast is now on a seven game win streak and will be back at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field against the RedPocket Mobiles on Wednesday at 6:35 pm, with games against the Mobiles scheduled daily through Sunday. The team will also take the field at home as its Regulators alternate identity for the first time in Friday’s matchup.
