Through the first 60 games in franchise history, the Long Beach Coast already has an impressive nine series sweeps compared to just 13 total losses. That’s led to a sparkling 47-13 overall record against Pioneer League competition, putting the Coast firmly atop the standings.
Over the past two weeks, the Coast went 10-2 during a 12-game homestand on Bohl Diamond at Blair Field, outscoring their opponents by a combined margin of 87-39.
That productive home stretch wrapped up last weekend with a three-game sweep of the RedPocket Mobiles, bringing Long Beach’s home record to 28-5 in its inaugural season. Back-to-back losses to the Oakland Ballers in the middle of the week served as the only blemishes of the homestand, but the Coast have still yet to lose three games in a row.
Starting pitching was terrific over the weekend, starting off with seven innings of one-run ball from Nick Bautista, who struck out nine batters and only walked one. That set the stage for a walk-off win in the ninth inning last Friday, with Easton Jones delivering the game-winning single to cap off a two-run rally and give the Coast a 3-2 win.
That was the same scoreline on Saturday as the Coast bullpen was able to finish off another gem from Nathan Hemmerling. He struck out nine and allowed only two hits in seven innings of work, staking the Coast to a 3-2 lead entering the eighth. Then Gary Grosjean and Zach Voelker slammed the door by collecting the final six outs.
Things were even smoother on Sunday afternoon as Matthew O’Brien was nearly unhittable over eight shutout frames. He surrendered just one hit and no walks while striking out four batters while the offense staked him to an 8-0 lead. Jaxon Byrd worked the ninth to finish off the shutout–the sixth of the season for the Coast pitching staff.
Last week’s games also provided the unique opportunity to get some former big leaguers out onto the diamond. On Thursday, Coast pitching coach and former MLB hurler Jerome Williams signed on as a “Marketing Player” for one game only.
The 44-year-old right-hander got the start for the Coast and pitched a scoreless first inning against the Ballers with a walk and a strikeout. Williams pitched across 11 big league seasons in his career, appearing in his final MLB game back in 2016.
Then on Sunday, local product Chase d’Arnaud (pictured, left) suited up for the Coast as the next “Marketing Player” during their 8-0 win. The 39-year-old infielder played one inning at shortstop, making easy work of his one defensive opportunity on a ground ball. Then he stepped to the plate and grounded out on the first pitch he saw in the bottom half of the inning.
d’Arnaud attended nearby Los Alamitos High and went onto an MLB career that spanned seven seasons and concluded in 2018. He is also the older brother of current Los Angeles Angels catcher, Travis d’Arnaud.
The Coast are now on the road for 12 straight as the Area Code Games prepares to take over Bohl Diamond at Blair Field from Aug. 5-10. After the prominent showcase for the nation’s prominent high school talent wraps up, Long Beach will be back in action on Aug. 11 against the Yuba-Sutter Freebirds.
