Sunday, April 16, 2006

THE BLACK AND GOLD STANDARD STILL HAS SHINING MOMENTS

Mid major is the disgination for Long Beach State athletics but youhave to give the Forty Niners credit for having a place in NCAA lore, at least in some fields of play.
Baseball for example is not having it’s most shining hour this season but they are in the hunt and for many are a barometer of what it means to be good. Two cases in point.

From down south Memphis ( the school with the other Pyramid) put on a clinic against Murray State (where the new Prez was from) on how to turn double plays. Their notes bragged that the Tigers tied an NCAA mark with a team-record seven double plays, including one in each of the first six innings, in a 12-1 victory last week, That made them them the mst recent team to tie a feat last done by Long Beach State (2003), Old Dominion (1985) and Miami (1976 and '71).

Meanwhile in the great Midwest, after the Whichita State Shockers swept a series from the LB they tanked. Calling the Niners a “ perennial power” they went on to say “,since then, the offense has inexplicably disappeared. In 14 games since that series, the Shockers are batting .199. They've failed to score more than five runs and collect more than nine hits in any game during that stretch.” Which reminds me a bit of the Dirtbag offense these days so why not ask Wichita State coach Gene Stephenson what to do.. "At this point and time, I'm ready to send them to putt-putt golf or ride a go-cart. They need to do something to clear their mind and get refreshed and at least be happy to come to the ballpark." Works for me.

On to brighter news, the number of entries in men’s volleyballs championship chase is small but the game is exciting and that mean’s Saturdays rematch at the Mid with BYU is a must ticket. One of the web board wise guys, complaining about the older foreign flavor of the Cougars wrote, “It will be a very good match as our amateurs try to beat their professionals. The old Brigham Youngs should be gunning to beat our youngsters this time. The good part is they bring a crowd, so we need to have some students there to support our team.”
It is a home game thanks to a strong finish by the 49er men's volleyball team and two losses by BYU at Hawaii. Game time is Saturday at 7 p,m,. in the first round of the MPSF
Playoffs.

Back outside, Beach Tennis concluded played two matches in 26 hours and with two wins the defended their Big West title and earned the # 1 seed earned in the Big West Tournament April 28-30th. They did the hard way finishing a suspended match at SLO then immediately headed two hours south to # 60 UC Santa Barbara. It was the Gauchos senior day but a sad day for UCSB when the net queens came on strong for a nice 6-1 road win. With the wins, Beach Tennis (17-4, 6-0) locks in the # 1 seed at the Big West Tournament in Indian Wells, CA in two weekends. That also means a nice 9am first match before it is too hot.

Last add for the Niners new AD Vic Cengles packing boxes back in Philly.
The Long Beach State men's golf team finished in 16th place at the U.S. Intercollegiate at the Stanford University Golf Course. Sunday's final round was cancelled due to severe weather. Individually, Ryan Wood tied for 18th place overall with a seven-over 147 (73-74). Ryan Panichpakdee tied for 46th with a 152 (72-80) and Brett Lederer tied for 63rd with a 155 (78-77). The 49ers will next be in action on April 24-25 at the Big West Conference Championships at the Tijeras Creek Golf Course in Mission Viejo. A win there and more post season for another Beach bunch-DR> DAN

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