Long Beach State
Team Capsule
Posted: Thursday May 28, 1998 06:32 PM
Coach: Dave Snow (10th year)
Nickname: 49ers
Record and conference finish: 41-21-1, Big West South -- 2nd
NCAA Tournament Region and Seed: West, 3rd
Total NCAA appearances: 9
NCAA Tournament Record: 30-18
College World Series Appearances: 4th
CWS Record: 4-6
Last CWS Appearance: 1993, lost to LSU, 7-1; beat Kansas, 6-1;
beat Texas A&M, 6-2; beat LSU, 10-8; lost to LSU, 6-5
Top Finish -- 4th (1993)
Probable Starting Lineup
------------------------
C -- Bryan Kennedy (.369, 7 HR, 78 RBI)
1B -- Jason Yount (.350, 10, 54)
2B -- Scott Redfox (.321, 1, 18)
3B -- Paul Day (.404, 15, 88)
SS -- Justin Hall (.315, 6, 55)
LF -- Jaron Madison (.351, 2, 36)
CF -- Terrmel Sledge (.390, 12, 62)
RF -- Chuck Lopez (.426, 4, 50)
DH -- Jason Berni (.373, 4, 48)
SP -- Caleb Balbuena (7-3, 5.12 ERA)
SP -- Jeff Leuenberger (6-2, 5.76)
SP -- Daryl Grant (3-5, 5.62)
RP -- Jason Marr (7 saves, 4.66)
Outlook: The 49ers were the only team to come
through the loser's bracket on the way to Omaha. After
losing the opener of the West Region to North Carolina
State, they won four straight, including winning a rematch
with the Wolfpack and topping Alabama in the regional
final on Sunday. The 49ers are led byjunior third
basemen Paul Day, who was the Big West Player of
18 runs, 10 doubles and 25 RBI. The pitching staff,
self-dubbed the "Bleach Boys" due to their bleached
blonde hair, has been the catalyst in the drive towards
Omaha. They have a staff ERA of 3.89 in the past 16
games, including three complete games and two shutouts.
RHP starters Caleb Balbuena and Jeff Leuenberger and
lefty Daryl Grant should see much of the duty.
All three have similar records with ERAs just above
5.00, but Balbuena has struck out a team-high 76.
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