The562’s coverage of Dirtbags Baseball for the 2023 season is sponsored by P2S, Inc. Visit p2sinc.com to learn more.
The Long Beach State Dirtbags are trying to finish off a perfect five-game homestead and extend their eight-game winning streak when No. 22 UCLA comes to Bohl Diamond at Blair Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
These proximity rivals are headed in opposite directions.
LBSU and UCLA have identical 18-8 overall records after the Dirtbags finished off last weekend with consecutive walk-off wins and the Bruins lost their seventh consecutive game.
UCLA is sending Michael Barnett to the mound while LBSU turns to sophomore righty Grant Cherry and the rest of the bullpen where LBSU coach Eric Valenzuela is still figuring out roles and responsibility for some young arms.
Despite not having that veteran stability, the new Dirtbags arms have produced well overall as a Top 50 group in the NCAA. The staff rank 15th in the nation with three shutouts and a 3.01 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The 3.37 walks per nine is ranked 22nd best, 4.26 ERA is 33rd, 1.34 WHIP is 39th, and 10.1 K/9 is 43rd.
Speaking of ranking nationally, the Dirtbags’ 33 home runs this season ranks eighth in the NCAA. First baseman Jonathon Long has a team-high seven home runs after hitting four (two walkoffs) last week. He’s second in the Big West.
UCLA also has some notable statistics with a 3.45 team ERA that’s 14th in the nation. The Bruins offense is slashing .261/.390/.426 while averaging just shy of seven runs per game.
The Dirtbags winning streak is their longest since 2017, and the longest in program history in 15 in 1989 when the Dirtbags made their first ever College World Series.
Refresh the page to see the latest score updates!
CLICK HERE if you can’t see the updates
STORY + VIDEO + PHOTOS: It was all smiles for Long Beach Poly on Monday night as the Jackrabbits cruised to a shutout win over Lakewood to secure first place in the Moore League standings
https://www.the562.org/2026/09/21/flag-football-long-beach-poly-picks-up-statement-win-over-lakewood/
VIDEO: Check out our highlights from Monday's first-place flag football showdown between Long Beach Poly and Lakewood
Neveah Johnson threw 2 of her 4 TD passes to Julie Lopez in Poly's big win
https://youtu.be/Lz_TOoqWwIc
PHOTOS: Check out our awesome gallery from the flag football clash between Long Beach Poly and Lakewood on Monday evening
https://www.the562.org/2026/09/21/photos-long-beach-poly-vs-lakewood-flag-football-6/
With a 26-6 win over King Drew, the Compton flag football team moved to 10-0 this season.
The Compton Football/Flag Football are a combined 15-0 this season. Something brewing at C-High.
For nearly 20 years, I’ve been lucky enough to cover the Long Beach sports community
Now as a nonprofit, The562 needs our readers/viewers to believe in our mission & donate to support local journalism
Give now to our @LongBeachGives fundraiser!
DONATE: https://www.longbeachgives.org/organization/the-562-network
Salute to sophomore Neveah Johnson who started at QB for Poly and threw 4 TD passes. She also added 2 interceptions on defense to help the Jackrabbits to a shutout win
FINAL: Long Beach Poly 41, Lakewood 0
The Jackrabbits dominate to stay undefeated in league and in first place
Check out our Photos of the Week! We had a packed schedule covering all the different games, sports, and athletes around the city. See full galleries at our LINK IN BIO.
Jackrabbits really pulling away now. Johnson hits Lopez for their 2nd scoring connection of the day. Poly leads 33-0 over Lakewood after 3 quarters
Brooklyn Richardson moves to QB and throws a TD to Maia Stefan. Jackrabbits go up 26-0, 2:22 3Q
HALF: LB Poly 19, Lakewood 0
Jackrabbits looking solid in a battle of Moore League unbeatens
Jackrabbits strike again on one play. Johnson hits Richardson over the middle and she does the rest for her second score of the day. Poly up 19-0, 6:45 2Q
Touchdown Poly. Johnson with another TD toss, this time to Julie Lopez. Jackrabbits take a 13-0 lead on the first play of the second quarter
Poly gets a stop then drives to take the lead on a pass from Neveah Johnson to Brooklyn Richardson. 7-0 Jackrabbits over Lakewood, 4:41 1Q
We’re at Long Beach Poly as they host Lakewood in a key Moore League flag football showdown! We’ll have live score updates and full coverage coming your way
