The ping of metal bats and the quirky dugout antics of college baseball return Friday. The 2018 season begins with several Southland schools seeking redemption, led by Long Beach State.
Last season, the Dirtbags won their first outright Big West Conference title since 2003 but came up 90 feet short in a winner-take-all super regional matchup with Cal State Fullerton — the first meeting between the rivals with a trip to the College World Series at stake.
The Titans earned their 18th trip to Omaha while Long Beach State was forced to watch them celebrate on its home field.