Tag: Long Beach State

What LHP Myles Patton can bring to the Texas A&M pitching staff

Texas A&M commit Myles Patton has the tools to becoming a major player in the Texas A&M pitching rotation

While Texas A&M has brought back a nice chunk of the record-setting offense after hiring Michael Earley, they had some big shoes to fill on the mound. There is a high possibility that both Ryan Prager and Chris Cortez will be drafted high enough not to come back to A&M, and phenomenal closer Evan Aschenbeck may not have his waiver for an additional season granted.

That means the Aggies will have to replace their most dynamic weekend lineup from the 2024 season. The trio combined for a 2.50 ERA, a 25-5 record, 239.6 innings, and 313 strikeouts. Texas A&M will still have a deep bullpen to work with, but Myles Patton will be a great arm that can steal a few starts and work some good innings in the middle of the game.

Even though Patton was mainly a starter during his time at Long Beach State, he has the tools and is highly competitive. This was echoed by his former coach, Bryan Peters, after a game last season.

“He’s completely earned it in every way possible from his work ethic, his character, his makeup, his leadership and most importantly he’s got Friday night stuff, demeanor and mentality,” said Peters. “He’s a very poised and competitive killer on the mound. What’s going on inside isn’t reflected on the outside. He’s in complete control with so much poise.”

Below, you can view Patton in action and what he can bring to Aggieland.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.

Texas A&M lands commitment from coveted LHP Myles Patton from Long Beach State

Texas A&M adds another pitcher through the transfer portal over the weekend

Texas A&M stays hot in the transfer portal, bringing in another pitcher for new pitching coach John Kelly to work with. This time it’s Myles Patton a 6-foot-3, 200-pound left-hander out of Long Beach State. He closed his sophomore season as an honorable mention to the 2024 Big West all-conference team.

Patton’s season was cut short due to a back injury but that did not keep him from being one of the top pitching transfers in the portal. His is also slated to be ready for the 2025 season. You can check out Patton’s confirmation via “X” here.

CAREER STATS

  • Record – 7-7
  • Saves – 0
  • ERA – 4.34
  • Innings Pitched – 105.2
  • Strikeouts – 122
  • Walks – 30
  • Opposing Batting Average – .267

Ahead of the 2025 season, Patton has a chance to compete for a spot in the starting rotation after a impressive season at Long Beach State.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.

Former Tennessee pitcher commits to Florida State

Former Tennessee baseball pitcher commits to Florida State.

Former Tennessee baseball pitcher Grant Cherry committed to Florida State following the 2024 season.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior appeared in five games at Long Beach State across the 2023-24 seasons. Cherry (3-2) recorded 56 strikeouts and a 4.93 ERA with the Dirtbags.

He appeared in five contests for the Vols as a freshman in 2022, recording five strikeouts. Cherry went to Tennessee out of Vestavia Hills High School in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

Tennessee won the Southeastern Conference regular-season and tournament championships in 2022.

The Vols advanced to a 2022 NCAA Tournament super regionals that season and were ranked No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll for 10 consecutive weeks (March 28-May 30, 2022).

PHOTOS: Tony Vitello through the years

Grant Cherry. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Why Long Beach State’s team is known as ‘The Beach’ and not 49ers

Here’s the answer.

Get in your Ken jokes about Long Beach State’s team being known as “Beach.”

But if you’re here, you’re probably wondering: why the heck would the team be known as “Beach”? Didn’t they have a nickname before?

You are correct, they did. That name was 49ers and the mascot was Prospector Pete. In 2018, the Cal State school got rid of nickname and mascot because of controversy surrounding the history associated with them.

Per a statement, via the Los Angeles Times: “As our diversity grew and more voices were heard, we came to know that the 1849 California gold rush was a time in history when the indigenous peoples of California endured subjugation, violence and threats of genocide,” President Jane Close Conoley said in a statement. “Today, the spirit of inclusivity is reflected in our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community. Today’s Beach is not connected to that era.”

So now, they’re “The Beach.”

Fired Long Beach State coach Dan Monson hilariously poked fun at his unusual situation in March Madness remarks

He led his team to an unexpected March Madness berth after getting fired.

When No. 15 seed Long Beach State takes on Arizona on Thursday, the 49ers will have the chance to pull off one of the more shocking wins we’ve seen in years. Not just because a 15-2 upset is relatively rare, but they’re also playing for a coach who has already been fired.

A couple weeks ago, Long Beach State announced that head coach Dan Monson would no longer be men’s basketball head coach after this season. But given that Monson had led the program for 17 seasons, the school allowed him to finish out the year with the team. The expectation was that the 49ers would lose in the Big West tournament, and that would be the end of it.

Instead, Long Beach State won the conference tourney and locked up the Big West’s automatic bid for March Madness. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Monson knew to open his press conference by making fun of the odd situation he’s in.

Well played, coach.

While it doesn’t sound like Long Beach State is going to change its mind on Monson’s employment status, his team does have an opportunity to really stick it to the administration if it can make a run beyond Thursday. Monson lost his lone tourney appearance with Long Beach State in 2012 (he had an Elite Eight run with Gonzaga in 1999), so it would be especially hilarious if he can get that win on the way out.

At the very least, he’s showing a good attitude about the arrangement, and his team clearly bought in during the conference tournament. Who knows what else can happen now?

All-American Ian Gilligan, top transfer in portal, joining national champion Florida

“Ian is a special player and proven winner.”

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As a sophomore, Ian Gilligan put together one of the best seasons in Long Beach State history.

He had four victories, including in the Big West Championship, and nine top-10 finishes. He was named a Golfweek second-team All-American. He narrowly missed out qualifying as an individual for the 2023 NCAA Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, finishing T-9 at the Las Vegas Regional.

However, Gilligan, who finished 12th in the Golfweek/Sagarin rankings for 2023, is leaving the Golden State for the Sunshine State, as he’s transferring to the national champion Florida Gators where he will likely become one of the best players in the lineup with two years of eligibility remaining.

“Adding Ian Gilligan to our already talented roster is massive for us in continuing the momentum we created this spring,” Gators’ coach J.C. Deacon said in a release. “Ian is a special player and proven winner. He also has a unique ability to take it deep as he displayed shooting 61 in competition earlier this year. ”

That 61 came in the John A. Burns Intercollegiate, where Gilligan finished T-3.

It’s a big splash for the Gators, which lose individual national champion Fred Biondi as well as Ricky Castillo and Yuxin Lin. He will join John DuBois and Matthew Kress, both pivotal pieces in Florida’s title run, in the lineup.

Gilligan’s rise to one of the best college golfers in the country didn’t come without its challenges. When he was 15, he was one of 20 kids worldwide diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma, one that forced him to spend months in the hospital.

He would spend a week receiving chemotherapy treatments before having two weeks at home. That process continued for seven months.

Now, he’s joining the defending national champions looking to help the Gators go back-to-back.

USC offense comes to life in victory over Long Beach State

The #USC offense came to life in a double-digit victory over Long Beach State. Auburn is next on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. in Los Angeles.

The USC Trojans have just a few days before a massive showdown against Auburn, and Andy Enfield’s team wants to take advantage of an opportunity to get a signature victory.

Wednesday night was their final tune-up before facing Bruce Pearl’s squad, and the Trojans showed up with a 88-78 victory against Long Beach State at the Galen Center.

USC put up 43 points in the first half and finished with 88 on the game, well over the team average of 69.9 points per game coming into the contest.

Reese Dixon-Waters and Tre White both finished with 20 points each and combined to show 17-26 from the field. Drew Peterson chipped in 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Kobe Johnson added 14 points and seven boards.

The big question coming out of this game is if Long Beach State’s lack of defensive resistance made USC look better, or if the Trojans actually improved on offense and made themselves a noticeably better team in time for the Auburn game, which is a crucial moment for USC this season. The Trojans badly need a signature nonconference win to boost their portfolio before they get into the heart of Pac-12 competition.

Boogie Ellis once again struggled shooting from the field, finishing with 11 points on 3-13, including 3-9 shooting beyond the arc.

Both White and Dixon-Waters set career highs on the evening, which is an encouraging sign for a Trojan team desperate for some scoring. This is their first time scoring more than 70 points since November 23 against BYU, and they will need their offense to show up against a tough Auburn team.

Aboubacar Traore was excellent for Long Beach State, finishing with 16 points and 16 rebounds as he gave USC fits. Nonetheless, the Trojans got the win and have now won four straight heading into the game against Auburn, which begins just after 2:30 p.m. in Los Angeles on Sunday, Dec. 18.

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Ian Gilligan beat cancer. Now he’s a successful college golfer at Long Beach State and winner of the CalHOPE Courage Award

“I’m just thankful to even be able to play.”

Ian Gilligan didn’t know whether he would live, let alone pick up a club and play golf again.

Now a sophomore at Long Beach State, Gilligan was in the fight for his life a few years ago. When he was 15, he was one of 20 kids worldwide diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma, one that forced him to spend months in the hospital.

He would spend a week receiving chemotherapy treatments before having two weeks at home. That process continued for seven months, but Gilligan persevered.

Gilligan is the winner of the CalHOPE Courage Award for the month of November. The monthly award honors student-athletes at California colleges and universities who have overcome the stress, anxiety and mental trauma associated with personal hardships and adversity. It is presented by the College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA), in association with The Associated Press.

“It’s an honor to be nominated for the award,” Gilligan said. “I think everything that the award stands for and does is something I strive for.”

Ian Gilligan
Ian Gilligan has two wins this fall for Long Beach State. (Photo: LBSU Athletics)

Golf remained an escape during Gilligan’s time receiving chemotherapy. Because his immune system was so compromised, he couldn’t do many things in crowded places, like go to the movies. But he could spend time on the golf course.

He first noticed pain his his shoulder when playing, and it eventually spread toward’s Gilligan’s armpit. He was having to take Advil on the course just to be able to practice. Then they got the diagnosis.

His first week home after treatment, Gilligan was normally so exhausted, he didn’t have the energy to play golf, instead just trying to recuperate at home. The second week, however, is when he would head to the course.

“Golfing was definitely a get away,” Gilligan said. “Those experiences helped me be more grateful and helped me grow as a person.”

Gilligan was being recruited before his diagnosis, and his dreams to play collegiately and beyond wouldn’t be hampered by being sick.

He originally received an email from Long Beach State asking him to come by campus for a visit, and after talking with his parents, he did just that.

The visit sold him. The campus was close to the practice facilities. Weather was nice year round. It was also close to his coach, George Gankas.

That decision paid off.

As a freshman last year, Gilligan was named Big West Freshman of the Year and to the All-Big West First Team with three top-10 finishes and five top-25 showings. His best finish was second place at the Big West Championships.

This fall, he has continued to dominate. Gilligan has two victories at the Nick Watney Invitational and the Mackenzie Invitational, as well as a strong finish at the Cal Poly Invitational. He’s ranked 21st in the Golfweek/Sagarin rankings heading into the spring.

His drive and determination helped him overcome cancer and become one of the best college golfers in the country. That’s why he won the CalHOPE Courage Award, and it shouldn’t be a shock to see his success continue.

“I’m just thankful to even be able to play,” Gilligan said.

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Cal State Fullerton vs Long Beach State Prediction, Game Preview: Big West Championship

Cal State Fullerton vs Long Beach State prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win on Saturday in the Big West Championship.

Cal State Fullerton vs Long Beach State prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch: Saturday, March 12

Cal State Fullerton vs Long Beach State Game Preview, Big West Championship How To Watch

Date: Saturday, March 12
Game Time: 11:30 pm ET
Venue: Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV
How To Watch: ESPN2
Record: Cal State Fullerton (20-10), Long Beach State (20-11)
– Sign up and live stream college basketball on ESPN+

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Oklahoma Sooners sweep day one of Mary Nutter Classic with 11-3 win over Long Beach State

The Oklahoma Sooners improved to 12-0 on the season with a win over Long Beach State led by Kinzie Hansen, Grace Lyons, and Alyssa Brito.

The No. 1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners improved to 12-0 on the season with an 11-3 run rule win over Long Beach State on day one of the Mary Nutter Classic in California.

After Jordy Bahl’s perfect game in a 10-0 win against Cal-State Fullerton, the Sooners got a bit more of a challenge from Long Beach State who notched the first earned run of the season off of a Sooners pitcher in the three-run third inning.

Hope Trautwein hadn’t allowed an earned run coming into the game got into some trouble in the bottom third inning allowing three runs (two unearned) cutting the Sooners lead to 6-3. Nicole May entered the game to get the Sooners out of a jam and pitched 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing two hits to close out the game.

Oklahoma responded in the top of the fourth thanks to Alyssa Brito’s base-clearing triple that drove in three runs to make it 9-3. They added another one later in the inning to go into the bottom of the fourth up 10-3. Oklahoma would add another run in the top of the fifth and May finished it off in the bottom of the fifth for the Sooners run-rule win.

At the plate, Kinzie Hansen and Grace Lyons hit home runs as the Sooners continued their offensive tear to start the season.

The Oklahoma Sooners will play two games on Saturday, first against No. 8/10 Arizona at 12 p.m. CT and then No. 17/17 Tennessee at 2:30 p.m. CT. They’ll close out the weekend series at 11 a.m. on against Utah on Sunday.

Here’s how you can watch or listen to the Oklahoma Sooners as they look to stay unbeaten and as Jocelyn Alo attempts to break the NCAA all-time home run record.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

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