Long Beach State 49ers Final '07 Rank: 27 39-20

Long Beach State fielded a ballclub short on experience but long in ability in 2007, challenged with one of the most demanding schedules in the nation. Yet the young Dirtbags came through remarkably, compiling a 39-20 record which included series wins against two College World Series teams (Arizona State and Cal State Fullerton), a trio of perennial powers (Texas, USC and Pepperdine) and as well as single game victories over Rice, UC Irvine, UCLA and Wichita State. Long Beach’s accomplishments earned them an opportunity to host a Regional, but were unable to make it to the next round after being eliminated by another upstart club, the UCLA Bruins. The bulk of the team returns to campus in 2008, with only two starters not headed back to the beach. LBSU made four appearances in the College World Series from 1989 to 1998 with last year’s success and experience, the gritty Dirtbags could once again be headed back to Omaha.

While outfielder and leading batsman Robert Perry’s (.335, 6, 52) absence will be felt, plenty of run producers will be back, led by shortstop Danny Espinosa. Espinosa batted .319 with 7 HR and 38 RBI to earn a second team All-Big West selection. During the summer he rejoined head coach Mike Weathers in representing the country on the USA Baseball National Team. It was Espinosa’s second time wearing red, white and blue, as he also played on the 2003 U.S. Youth National Team. A first team All-Big West selection last season, first baseman Shane Peterson batted .327 with four homeruns and 40 RBI and continued his solid hitting over the summer. Peterson won a starting nod in the Cape Cod League All-Star Game and finished fourth in batting in the prestigious league at .338. Peterson also took to the mound in 14 starts last season, compiling a 2-2 record with a 4.85 ERA in 55.2 innings pitched, but likely will concentrate on offense in ‘08. Another Big West first teamer returning is senior catcher Travis Howell. After barely breaking the .200 mark at Cal, Howell transferred to LBSU and had immediate success as a starter, batting .283. Outfielder Jason Corder tied Espinosa for the team lead in homeruns despite 83 less at bats and will also be back for the Dirtbags. Corder hit .280 and also found success at LBSU after starting his collegiate career as a Cal Bear. Outfielders Steve Tinco and TJ Mittelstaedt showed great promise as freshmen, hitting .326 and .296 respectively in limited action. Last year's California Junior College Player of the Year, Ryan Sandoval Jr. batted .396 with a .637 slugging percentage for the Chabot College Gladiators. He’ll join Long Beach in ’08 after turning down an opportunity to go pro for a second time. He was selected by Oakland in 38th round of the ’06 amateur draft and by the Mets in the 30th round last year.

After starting the season in the bullpen, Andrew Liebel broke out to become the staff ace. Libel threw a pair of complete games as he compiled a 9-3 record in 101.1 innings with 59 strikeouts. Another former reliever, Vance Worley, is slated to join Liebel at the top of the Dirtbag rotation. Worley was one time projected as a top three round draft selection until he hurt his arm. He was still selected by Philadelphia in the 20th round, but elected to attend LBSU. Last year had a 3.64 ERA in 54.1 innings and had over a three to one strikeout-to-walk ratio (38 Ks, 12 BBs), but was once again limited by injury. Senior Manny McElroy provided solid numbers as a weekend starter, going 5-3 with a 4.25 ERA. For the third season Bryan Shaw will be the 49er’s closer. He took over the role as a freshman and has established himself as one of the most dependable finishers in the nation. Last year he went 6-2 out of the bullpen with 11 saves (tied for 23rd nationally). His 2.39 ERA led all Long Beach pitchers. Freshman Jake Thompson got his GED so he could skip his high school senior season and join the Dirtbags. His 90+ mph fastball will be will be a welcome addition to the Dirtbag bullpen.