Boosted Beginning Powers Coast to 8-4 Victory

LONG BEACH, CA – The Long Beach Coast (17-4) ripped open Thursday night’s 8-4 win over the Modesto Roadsters (12-9) right from the jump. Three-run frames in the first and third innings carried the L.B.C. into the win column for the second-straight night before a two-run eighth added the necessary insurance.

Right fielder Matthew Bardowell played the key role with four RBIs tagged across the first and third frames with a three-run double and a solo home run. That two-bagger accounted for all the damage in the opening period.

The homer followed up center fielder Emilio Corona’s two-run blast the batter before him. The first dinger in that back-to-back combo marked back-to-back nights with a long ball for Corona who also reached with his third triple of the season in the eighth inning.

Shortstop Anthony Mata’s infield knock later in that eighth scored Corona and buoyed the team with a pair of runs scoring, doubling the then-two run lead to four.

On the hill, right-hander Nick Bautista left the ballgame after just three innings with an injury, tossing 50 pitches on the way to the one-hit scoreless outing. Sidearm dealer Ricky Tibbett walked away with his team-leading third win, surrendering four runs on as many hits.

Out of the pen, relievers J.J. Almeda, Julien Hernandez, and Zach Voelker combined for four shutout frames, allowing just two hits, and recording five Ks (Hernandez handling three of those strikeouts).

The second home game in which the Coast rebrand as the Long Beach Regulators kicks off on Friday night at 6:35 p.m. P.D.T. with gates opening at Blair Field at 5:05 p.m. Coverage on the Beach Ball Pre-Game Report begins at 6:15 p.m. on the Home Team Network.

Jesse Cook