Entering the next to last weekend of conference play, Long Beach State is in the drivers seat for the Big West crown. The 49ers run to the title will take a tough turn this weekend as LBSU heads to Cal State Fullerton for a series rife with postseason implications for both clubs.
The nationally-ranked 49ers have what amounts to a four-game lead with six games left on the schedule thanks to a three game lead in the standings and the head-to-head tiebreaker over second place UC Santa Barbara. Taking two of three from the Titans would be a major step towards the league title, while a sweep would virtually insure at least a tie for the league crown. Meanwhile, Cal State Fullerton’s postseason dreams are still alive thanks to a solid RPI (60 entering last weekend), a solid strength of schedule and a key series win over Cal State Northridge last weekend. A series win by the Titans would increase their postseason profile as well as close the gap between the two clubs in the standings.
Second place UC Santa Barbara looks to get back on track this weekend as the Gauchos head north to Pacific for a three game battle against the Tigers. UCSB has lost six of its last nine games and posted just a 6-8 record in the month of April. Pacific is looking to win head coach Brian Kolze’s 500th career game, a milestone which the Tigers stand one win shy of. They will also be looking to win their first series since April 5-6 against UC Davis.
Two of the hotter teams in the conference clash in San Luis Obispo this weekend as UC Davis heads to the Central Coast to take on Cal Poly. The Aggies have won back-to-back league series’ for the first time in their short tenure in Division I, while the Mustangs reside in a third place tie with Cal State Fullerton after four wins in their last six conference outings. Cal Poly is also looking for a measure of payback from UC Davis as the Aggies beat the Mustangs two-out-of-three last season in the non-conference series in Davis a year ago.
Cal State Northridge looks to get its record back over .500 in conference play this weekend as the Matadors head to resurgent UC Riverside for a three game conference set against the Highlanders. Both clubs are looking to reverse recent negative trends as CSUN has dropped four of six, while UCR has lost seven in a row after winnings four of five. A sweep by the Matadors would give them their first double-digit conference victories since season 2004.
Also on the docket is the final non-conference regular season game for the Big West this season. UC Davis heads to Berkeley to play Pac-10 power California in a single game Wednesday afternoon.