Long Beach State coach Eric Valenzuela (Shotgun Spratling)

Elite Pitching, Deep Desire Drove Long Beach’s Dramatic Turnaround

SEE ALSO: 2020 Conference Wrap: Big West

No college baseball program orchestrated a more striking turnaround from 2019 to 2020 than Long Beach State, which had clearly established itself as the nation’s most surprising team when the season was canceled heading into Week Five.

The 2019 season was a nightmare for Long Beach State, a proud program with a rich history. The Dirtbags limped to an 0-10 start to the season and never recovered, finishing a dismal 14-41 overall and 8-16 in the Big West, tied for last place. Head coach Troy Buckley was fired[…]