Daily 49er, February 18, 2019

D 49

ISSUE 31

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comic stans LONG BEACH STATE | VOL. LXX, | FEBRUARY 18, 2019

page 8

2 NEWS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 | DAILY49ER.COM | CITYD49ER@GMAIL.COM

INSIDE

ON THE COVER

THE

NINER Influenza kills two in Long Beach this year page 4

Captain “Solo” Seekerman, a charity cosplayer created his own steampunk inspired character based off the Star Wars franchise.

Photo Illustration by GERMAN RODRIGUEZ Daily 49er

Daily 49er Editorial Office Phone (562) 985-8000

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News Editor

“Apex Legends” sets itself apart page 9

Sports Editor

Arts & Life Editor

Don’t compromise your morals for Amazon page 10

Special Projects Editor

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CRIME BLOTTER

Copy Editor

UPD responds to a double bike theft, Valentine’s Day exhibitionist and missing golf cart

By Jonathan Rulison Staff Writer

with his pants on until police arrived. Goodwin said the man was arrested and taken into custody by UPD. Stolen golf cart

Double bike theft at the dorms Two bikes were reported stolen from Beachside and Parkside dorms on Feb. 11. The first theft occurred just before 5 p.m. at Parkside. A purple and silver Schwinn hybrid bike was stolen after the cable lock securing it was severed. The second theft occurred around 5:40 p.m. at Beachside where a black and silver Schwinn was stolen from the bike cage behind the housing complex after its cable lock was compromised. Capt. Richard Goodwin said it’s likely that the same person or persons stole the bikes since the two Schwinn thefts occurred in both similar time and location. Goodwin added that although any lock can be compromised, the University Police Department strongly recommends the use of U-Locks as they’re much harder to break than most cable locks. There are currently no suspects.

Indecent exposure at the Outpost A cashier at the Outpost reported a man publicly masturbating outside the shop on Valentine’s Day. The 5’4 black-haired man sat at the outside tables masturbating

A staff member reported a white Taylor Dunn flatbed cart had been stolen near the Walter Pyramid Feb. 8.

Goodwin said the cart hadn’t been seen since the prior week when it was left to be serviced. Goodwin added it may have been unknowingly moved or misplaced.

Suspicious person at Parkside dorms A student reported a suspicious person loitering near the vending machines outside the N and P Parkside buildings Feb. 9. The man was described as having facial hair, earrings, a black hat and wearing all black clothing. Officers searched the area but were unable to find the person.

Goodwin said the individual was “definitely suspicious,” but may have just been a student.

Macbook and backpack stolen from SRWC A student reported their MacBook, backpack and its contents were stolen from the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Feb. 7. The theft took place the day before between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. and the property was likely stolen from a locker, according to Goodwin.

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Editorials: All opinions expressed in the columns, letters and cartoons in this issue are those of the writers or artists.

The opinions of the Daily 49er are expressed only in unsigned editorials and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the journalism department or the views of all staff members. All such editorials are written by the editorial board of the Daily 49er.

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NEWS 3

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 | DAILY49ER.COM | CITYD49ER@GMAIL.COM

FACILITIES

One year after lead scare, campus assures students of water quality PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY SABRINA FLORES | Daily 49er

According to Facilities Maintenance Manager Josh Cichuniec, hydration station filters are changed at least once a month or based on how often they’re used.

By Sol Mendez Contributing Writer

When a chemistry professor and a couple students tested campus water stations due to concerns over the water condition last year, Long Beach State found itself shutting off campus water fountains due to small traces of lead that were found.

According to the Daily 49er, then Vice President of Administration and Finance, Mary Stephens had expressed that “some of the fountains did not meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards for drinkable water.”

With over 100 refill stations and general

water fountains around campus, Tony Malagrino, associate vice president of Physical Planning and Facilities, said that last year’s lead scare had been a “PR nightmare.”

Malagrino said the school has always worked alongside the Long Beach Water Department to deliver the best quality water to the campus.

“It ended up being a positive exercise because we positively checked all of the water that makes its way to the buildings,” Malagrino said.

Director of Design and Construction Services, Mark Zakhour said he hopes students eventually become comfortable with the water systems on campus.

“It was the old drinking fountains that

had a small trace amount of lead, but it was way below the EPA thresholds for anything that would cause any sort of concern,” Zakhour said.

While small traces of lead may have no impact, the EPA’s website does warn against drinking water contaminated water, as over time, it may cause damage to the kidneys or nervous system.

Maintenance of overall hydration stations is performed by Facilities Maintenance Manager Josh Cichuniec, who said hydration station filters are changed at least once a month or based on how often they’re used.

As part of a preventive measure, Cichuniec said maintenance of the hydration stations and water fountains are regularly

scheduled at least once a month.

“We’ll check if it’s indicating that we need to change the filter [then] we’ll change it. It just depends on how often they’re used,” he said.

University spokesperson Jeff Bliss stated that virtually every building on campus has since been tested and assures that water on campus has been safe to drink since the resolution of last year’s ordeal.

Zakhour said the older fountains that were found to have traces of lead have been removed.

“We replaced all those old drinking fountains because people get really frightened of the word lead,” Zakhour said.

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4 NEWS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 | DAILY49ER.COM | CITYD49ER@GMAIL.COM

HEALTH

Influenza claims two lives in Long Beach Health services urge residents to get vaccinated this flu season.

HUNTER LEE | Daily 49er

A student receives a free influenza vaccine by the CSULB Bookstore. There were 372 reported cases of measles in 2018.

By Alejandro Chousal Staff Writer

T

here have been two influenza related deaths in the 2018-19 flu season, according a press release from the city of Long Beach Monday. The individuals both had underlying health conditions, but the City’s Health and Human Services Department continues to urge the public to get vaccinated.

The rise of the “anti-vax” movement has

led to an increased prominence of measles in the U.S. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 372 reported cases of measles in 2018 and during the first two months of 2019, there have been over 100 reported cases.

“We have vaccines that we have determined are safe and effective to prevent these diseases that were almost completely eradicated in our country,” said Heidi Girling, coordinator for the CSU Long Beach Health Resource Center. “And now we are starting to see a resurgence of these diseases that do not need to be causing these problems and

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there is no proof that vaccines will cause autism.”

Girling stressed the importance of something as simple as the flu vaccine. She said that although the flu itself isn’t particularly deadly, it can cause other issues when somebody has underlying health conditions. For example, someone with asthma who contracts the flu could worsen to a point where that person could develop pneumonia.

While the flu vaccine is developed to cover a wide range of mutations, it is possible to still get the flu even after being vaccinated.

According to the CDC website, “Flu vacci-

nation has been shown in several studies to reduce severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get sick.”

“These deaths are a tragic reminder that flu can cause serious illness,” Long Beach City Health Officer Anissa Davis said in a press release. “It’s not too late in the season to get the flu shot. Getting vaccinated is the safest and most effective way to prevent flu.”

Student Health Services will be offering free flu shots Monday on lower campus by The Outpost from noon to 2 p.m. and Monday, Feb. 25 by Hillside Dining from noon to 2 p.m.

NEWS 5

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 | DAILY49ER.COM | CITYD49ER@GMAIL.COM

CREATIVE COMMONS

Students identifying as spiritual is increasing among college campuses.

IDEOLOGY

Students are turning to spirituality instead of religion Data has shown an increase in self-identification as spiritual as opposed to “religious” among young adults.

By Kelly Traynor Contributing Writer

S

elf-identifying as “spiritual” rather than religious is a trend that’s on the rise among college students according to a recent

study.

Identifying as spiritual is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as being concerned with the human soul as opposed to material items. Spiritual followers practice meditation, astrology and or prayer.

Sophia Pandya, department chair of religious studies at Long Beach State, said there is an “enrollment problem” in the religious studies department.

She attributed this to multiple factors, including the idea that people tend to think religion is a “taboo subject,” and added that many people assume religion should be “private.” She said that 30 percent of young adults now identify as spiritual, a term many don’t associate

with religion at all.

Pew Research Center found about a quarter of U.S. adults refer to themselves as “spiritual but not religious,” a self-perception that has risen by 8 percent in the past five years. The center also found that of the American adults who identify as “spiritual but not religious,” 37 percent are “religiously unaffiliated,” meaning they identify as atheist or agnostic. Pew also found that 35 percent of Americans who call themselves “spiritual but not religious” do identify with a religious group.

Jim Curry, a prospective graduate student, said that he identifies himself as religious, but in the past, he would have answered spiritual. He added that the idea of being spiritual as a “stepping stone” to being religious.

“To me, being spiritual means that you’ve accepted there is a power greater than yourself,” he said. “Before I found Jesus, I didn’t know if I believed in a specific religion, but I knew I believed in a higher power. At that point in my life, I

would’ve called myself spiritual.”

In contrast, sophomore business student JJ Alejos said the term spiritual suits her.

“Spirituality is something within, it’s how you chose to interpret your view of the world and your beliefs,” Alejos said.

Research has shown that spirituality is more prevalent in young Americans than previous generations. PR Newswire reported that 83 percent of Generation Z and 75 percent of Millennials are more likely to be spiritual than previous generations.

“I spent so much time in my life thinking about different religions and what to call myself, but I realized I don’t need to define my beliefs with a certain religion,” Alejos said. “I was raised Christian, but I never liked the idea of fitting into one specific box of a religion. That’s why I choose to call myself spiritual instead of religious now.”

According to PR Newswire, 91 percent of Americans feel that some aspects of spirituality are more appealing than

organized religion.

Thomas White, a senior communication studies major, identifies as agnostic.

“I think there’s a God, but I’m not into going to church or anything like that,” he said.

White added he prays sometimes, but he’s turned off to the idea of picking a certain religion to practice. He said that when faced with the terms religious and spiritual, he would classify himself as spiritual, a term he said is “less intimidating.”

“I like to think there’s a big guy upstairs.” he said, “But I don’t believe in hell or anything like that.”

Junior psychology student Lauren Robins said she views spirituality as an emotional experience.

“I’m spiritual, 100 percent,” Robins said. “And it all revolves around love.

God is love, love is God. Spirituality helped me through a tough time in my life, and I want everyone to experience the magic I’ve felt through practicing it.”

6 ARTS & LIFE

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 | DAILY49ER.COM | ARTSNLIFED49ER@GMAIL.COM

GAMING

Legendary gameplay in ‘Apex Legends’

“

This new game perfects the genre of Battle Royale with its fresh mechanics.

By Andrew Rudin Staff Writer

CONCEPT ART BY EA

The Wraith, a legend in the game, “Apex Legends” is known for her quick and powerful game play.

Apex Legends” is the newest game to enter the “Battle Royale” genre of gaming and has reached 25 million players in just one week of release.

A “Battle Royale” game usually takes place on an island where players are dropped off and must fight until they are the lone survivor or team, similar to the “Hunger Games” series. Each player starts off with no equipment, so they must find weapons and armor to survive.

What makes “Apex Legends” stand out against other BR games is how intuitive it is to every aspect of the genre. The first thing it does well is movement and aim. Other games of the same vein, like “Fortnite,” “Player’s Unknown Battlegrounds,” or PUBG and “Call of Duty: Blackout” have distinctly different movement mechanics. PUBG takes a realistic approach on movement and carrying capacity of the character. Blackout’s movement is much faster, which speeds up processes such as reloading a gun and running. The faster movement leads to faster gameplay.

Apex adopted Blackout’s fast pace style and added to it by reducing the player counter per game to 60 rather than 100 like in “Fortnite,” “Blackout” and “PUBG.” The map size is also relatively small, which makes up for the reduced player count, so that matches don’t feel cluttered. “PUBG” map sizes vary from big to small but with the slow paced game play, every match feels like a journey.

Apex is set in the same universe as “Titanfall 2,” a first person shooter that receives a lot of praise for its well-refined gameplay and movement.

Communication is also a big part of BR games as you queue up and play in teams.

In “PUBG” and “Blackout,” you can opt out of teams to play solo, but Apex allows you to queue up with a squad of three, either by yourself with strangers, or with your friends.

This is different than other BR games that usually have four-player teams and also give the option to play as a duo or solo.

All three games include voice communication, but this has always been a lackluster experience because players tend to opt out of it or say useless or offensive things. Apex created a great solution for this because it added a ping system, allowing silent or disruptive players to communicate useful information by using emoticons or symbols to flag important game information. This allows people without microphones to communicate with the rest of their team.

Finally, Apex differentiates itself with legends: unique player characters that each have their own abilities. Legends range in ability types specializing in supportive, offensive or defensive capabilities. Considering how legends pair together also creates a consistency that usually is not seen in BR games because they rely on randomness of positioning and equipment. This adds to the competitiveness of the game because it feels more rewarding when you can win consistently rather than rely on luck.

“Apex Legends’” intuitive looting system is the final aspect of the game that sets it apart from its competitors. When you pick up a weapon or armor, the game will show that you either cannot use an item or that you already hold better equipment. This simplifies looting immensely and saves time in an already fast-paced game.

All these aspects combine to form a well-refined and intuitive BR game that refreshes the genre for players who felt burned out. With it being dubbed the “Fortnite killer,” Apex has already left a huge mark on the genre.

DAILY49ER.COM

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019

USU-108 | 562-985-2535 beachpride.com

MLK

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

Keynote Address by Dr. Karenga

“ReReading King in Critical Times: Relationships, Resistance and Inclusive Good”

“I choose to give my life for those who have been left out ... This is the way I’m going. If it means suffering a little bit, I’m going that way.... If it means dying for them, I’m going that way.”

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

ESSAY CONTEST

Application on BeachSync Search MLK essay contest

Mobilizing working-class transgender hairdressers + beauty queens, the dynamic leaders of the world’s only LGBTQ political party wage a historic quest to elect a trans woman to the Philippine Congress.

FREE SCREENING of AWARD WINNING FILM with FILMMAKER IN ATTENDANCE!

FREE + FILMMAKER IN ATTENDANCE!

PRODUCED BY SABRINA SCHMIDT-GORDON

DIRECTED BY JONATHAN OLSHEFSKI This event is a collaboration with POV, the award-winning independent non-fiction film series on PBS www.pbs.org/pov

Thurs • Feb 21 • 6:30-9:00p • UTC-127 Theater

film run time 104 min., followed by filmmaker Q&A

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For more info or accommodations contact: helen.scheer@csulb.edu

@CSULBASI

Dr. Maulana Karenga Professor and Chair, Department of Africana Studies, CSULB

Thursday, February 21 USU Ballrooms 12 - 2PM Refreshments Available

7

8 ARTS & LIFE

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 | DAILY49ER.COM | ARTSNLIFED49ER@GMAIL.COM

CONVENTION

Long Beach Comic Expo focuses on its roots The 10th annual two-day event focuses on comics and offers an inclusive environment.

RALSTON DACANAY | Daily 49er

Johnny Duong cosplays as Frank West as he Twitch streams himself exploring the expo.

By Ralston Dacanay Contributing Writer

F

rom a jaw-dropping group of steampunk Star Wars bounty hunters to an eyebrow-raising Flo from Progressive insurance, the Long Beach Comic Expo successfully brought out a crowd that has long defined the comic-con tradition.

Saturday morning, the lines of fans ready to be immersed in the world of comic books, video games, TV and film began to move Saturday morning as the 10th annual LBCE kicked off at the Long Beach Convention Center.

This year, however, a unique theme resonated with the expo’s attendees – its orchestrated focus on comics and promoting a family-friendly atmosphere. “[The Long Beach Comic Expo] feels more inclusive,” said cosplayer Lindsey Tucker, 29. She said that other cons she’s been to haven’t compared.

Dressed in her custom black and red “BatQuinn” cosplay, Tucker attended LBCE for the first time along with her husband Marvel Tucker, 30. In the same vein, Marvel opted to showcase his two favorite comic characters with “The Hooded Joke,” a handmade cosplay of the Red Hood’s outfit with the Joker’s theme of green, purple, black and white.

“It’s a smaller family environment than giant cons where it’s crazy and you have to run to this place and run across this way,” Lindsey Tucker said.

It’s no secret that in recent years, the comic books and related media industry has boomed with films such as Marvel’s “Avengers: Infinity War” smashing multiple global box office

records. As a result, comic conventions have increasingly opted to plan their shows around these mainstream blockbuster works and their star-studded casts.

This year’s Long Beach Comic Expo, however, was a well-received contrast.

After several years of efforts by the expo’s organizers to join in on this meta of expanding the show to be flashier, there has been a concerted effort in the past 18 months to have this year’s event take a more niche approach.

Led by Martha Donato, MAD Event Management LLC founder and president, the floor and programming of LBCE was adjusted to focus on comics. Additionally, the changes were designed to produce an environment closer to a relaxed celebration among friends and family within the comics world rather than an intense foot race to experience the best stuff.

“It takes us time to implement when we have a strategy,” Donato said. “This is the end result of a plan to intentionally make this really focused.”

The changes were apparent throughout the convention center and seemed to hit home with those such as Norm Harper, 40. A writer and publisher of family-friendly graphic novels under his own brand, Karate Petshop, Harper has been a vendor at the expo for six years.

“Some cons can be a little bit more ‘Hollywooded-up.’ Like, ‘Hey, we got this person from this movie. We got this person from this TV show,’” Harper said. “Those cons are great too, but I feel like the Long Beach crowd is more about comics.”

While some of the superhero punches may have been pulled as a part of this effort, it wouldn’t be fair to say that this year’s LBCE failed to attract renowned guests within the industry.

With over 314,000 Instagram followers, Ivy Doomkitty was one of the popular cosplayers signing autographs and taking photos with fans at the expo. “[The Long Beach Comic Expo is] more of a home convention for me,” said Doomkitty, cosplaying as Mary Jane from Spiderman. “There’s a lot of familiar faces. There’s a lot of new faces in addition to the staff that feel like family as well.

It’s always nice to kick off my convention season working with them.”

As a Latina idol in the pop culture world for her past cosplays including Dr. Doom, Bowsette and Psylocke, Doomkitty has been invited to many conventions for her panels discussing and promoting body confidence.

“As the years have passed, you see so many more cosplayers from all walks of life,” Doomkitty said. “When I first started, there really wasn’t. There was a specific skin color that was celebrated and there was a specific body type, so you didn’t really see a lot of Latinas cosplaying then.”

Regardless of the size and scope of the expo, however, this year’s attendees showed that comics and pop culture have retained a special level of admiration by its inviting community.

That community includes Michael Mittleider, 43, owner of the Pasadena-based pop cultural media company NERDBOT. This was his fifth year cosplaying and livestreaming NERDBOT’s Facebook live show at LBCE’s social square.

“Growing up in the ‘80s, if you [said] you were a nerd or a geek, it was kind of frowned upon,” Mittleider said. “I loved comics in the beginning. I loved the [Teenage Mutant Ninja] Turtles. I loved the Transformers. I loved Marvel. I grew up in that era, but when [I] got older, it’s more mainstream. It’s for everybody. It’s not just when you’re a 7-year-old kid.”

OPINIONS 9

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 | DAILY49ER.COM | OPEDD49ER@GMAIL.COM

SABRINA FLORES | Daily 49er

Amazon@TheBeach is located at the University Bookstore. Amazon Prime and Prime Student members have access to free sameday pick up at the location.

CORPORATION

Prime ship my moral compass into the garbage Amazon’s business practices are questionable at best, inhumane at worst.

By Rachel Barnes Arts & Life Editor rachelsalien

M

y conscience won’t let me order things off of Amazon anymore and I’ve got a few reasons why.

The company treats its employees like garbage, and I believe billionaires should be illegal while the majority of the population is struggling for money. What I don’t get is why more people aren’t as bothered

by Amazon’s sketchy business practices as I am, even after all of the scandals keep coming to light.

Sure, free two-day shipping is amazing, but is it still worth it knowing that Amazon warehouse workers have to pee in bottles to make their quota for the day? I thought everyone agreed sweatshops were inhumane, and what Amazon is doing to its employees

is pretty comparable.

A Reddit user who works for Amazon said that in his first week working there, two people collapsed from dehydration. His managers complained that they had to fill out a report, like they’re the victims here.

Surely, the victim isn’t the warehouse employee passed out in their own pee.

Personally, I am not okay with subjecting 566,000 people to such horrible working conditions to make a rich man richer. We know that Jeff Bezos isn’t the best guy from his recent scandal when he cheated on his wife and then almost got his nudes released on the internet. Anyone with that much money can’t really be a good person, especially since we know that Bezos is only dedicating 1.3 percent of his wealth to charity.

To be fair, Amazon is very convenient for consumers and does provide a variety of services that can be useful. The twoday shipping is one of its strongest selling points and they also offer grocery delivery.

One service many students use is the textbook rental system. It is so much cheaper to rent books off Amazon than it is to buy them at the campus bookstore. The bookstore noticed this, and that’s part of the reason Long Beach State got an Amazon store in 2016.

When I still used Amazon, that was the thing I used it most for. Everything else I ordered from Amazon tended to be in bad condition since it allows some pretty sketchy third-party vendors to sell unapproved merchandise with little review on its website.

I ordered a pink sun hat off of Amazon about a year ago and not only did it come completely squashed, but it was brown. I had to go through so many steps to contact the seller, and in the end I only got refunded about 70 cents of my purchase — not worth it.

On top of all of that, the recent mess involving the proposed New York Amazon

headquarters shows more about its sketchy business practices. The company backed out of their promise to the city because it wasn’t going to get a sweet tax-break to build their headquarters in Queens.

The failed deal made many people angry, including New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The headquarters would have created so many jobs for the area and helped the economy, yet it backed out in the interest of letting a billionaire keep his billions. How is that fair?

I know rallying to cancel Amazon is an ambitious task, but people do it with fashion brands that use sweatshops, and I don’t feel like this is that far of a stretch. Ebay isn’t as quick with shipping, but you can guarantee there is integrity in the process, or you can do it the old-fashioned way and shop in the real world.

Convenient shipping shouldn’t be worth more than the well-being of others.

10 SPORTS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 | DAILY49ER.COM | SPORTSD49ER@GMAIL.COM

BASEBALL

Dirtbags suffer sweep swamp in first series

By Robert Hollar Staff Writer

MANUEL VALLADARES | Daily 49er Freshman Wiktoria Rutkowska hits overhand against Northridge Friday. Long Beach State tennis remains undefeated four games into the season, leading the Big West.

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Long Beach tennis clinches 4-1 victory The 49ers continue their undefeated streak in second conference match of the season.

By Manuel Valladares Staff Writer

The Long Beach State women’s tennis team defeated Northridge 4-1 Friday, improving its record to 4-0.

CSUN (3-2, 0-2 Big West) had a lot of energy throughout the match, looking eager to get its first conference victory, something Long Beach (4-0, 2-0 Big West) didn’t allow.

“Northridge is always a tough, scrappy team and we knew that coming into the game,” head coach Jenny Hilt-Costello said.

The match began with the 49ers

clinching the doubles point after two wins, setting the tone for the competitive outing.

The first victory came from Wiktoria Rutkowska and Dominique Meyers, winning 6-2 and improving their overall record to 9-1 for the season. The second came from a 7-5 victory by Natalia Munoz and Lalita Devarakonda.

Devarakonda had trouble keeping up with the pace of the game for stretches, but eventually made the match-winning play, solidifying the point.

Singles matches were tough for the 49ers, with many players struggling at the start. Munoz was the exception, winning two sets 6-2, 6-1.

Rutkowska struggled against Monika Van de Vondel the entire match. The tides changed in Rutkowska’s favor after

a dispute involving the Matador’s point calling.

“It broke her down and that’s when I started to take the advantage,” Rutkowska said.

Rutkowska went on to win the game 6-3, 6-1, putting the 49ers in a great position to secure a victory.

Pessimism set in for 49er fans, with clouds setting on Long Beach and the chances of rain increasing, which could have led to the game being scrapped.

This didn’t phase Devarakonda for a majority of her match as she won both sets 6-3 and ignored any outside forces from stopping the game.

Looking to stay undefeated, the 49ers have a Feb. 22 match at noon against the University of San Francisco.

The Dirtbags received a rude welcome to the 2019 season this weekend at the hands of No. 3 Florida, which swept Long Beach in a three-game series.

Long Beach State (0-3) had its work cut out in the opening series, having to face one of its toughest opponents in Florida (3-0) of the year. Moreover, the Dirtbags is plagued by injuries, which forced it to field an inexperienced roster against more developed SEC players.

“Their freshman are different than our freshman” Dirtbags head coach Troy Buckley said to the Gators’ broadcast Sunday.

The Dirtbags scored five runs in the series while allowing 16. They dropped Friday’s game 8-2 followed by a 5-2 loss on Saturday. The getaway game was a 3-1 victory for the Gators.

Saturday’s game could have been an upset victory for Long Beach State, but junior starting pitcher Zak Baayoun allowed four runs in the second inning, three of them earned, forcing the offense to fight an uphill battle. Baayoun was tagged with the loss. The Dirtbags hit well with the bases empty as first baseman Dominic Campeau and shortstop Santino Rivera each had two hits. Additionally, sophomore catcher Chris Jimenez reached base three times. However, the Dirtbags failed to hit with runners on base all weekend. It left seven runners on base Saturday, often due to strikeouts.

The Dirtbags got its first lead of the season Sunday when right fielder Aidan Malm drove a slider over the left field fence. The solo shot was also the first home run of the season for Long Beach.

Florida answered back with two runs in the third inning against left hander Alfredo Ruiz, who made his Dirtbags debut Sunday. In a mirror-image of the offense, Ruiz pitched with poise and confidence with the bases empty, but struggled to find the strike zone with runners in scoring position. Neither of the Gators’ third inning runs were accounted for by hits. After a hit batter loaded the bases, Ruiz walked in a run resulting in a 1-1 score. The true freshman then induced a two-hopper hit too hard for third baseman Tanner Carlson to handle. Carlson, a freshman, was charged with the error and Florida took a lead that it would not relinquish.

The Dirtbags had runners on second base in the fifth and sixth innings, but failed to bring them home.

The Dirtbags home opener is 6 p.m.

Tuesday against San Diego at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field.

SPORTS 11

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 | DAILY49ER.COM | SPORTSD49ER@GMAIL.COM

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

No. 1 Long Beach dominates No. 4 UCLA

By Bryan Aparicio

Assistant Sports Editor BryanAparicio_

PAULA KILEY | Daily 49er Senior opposite Kyle Ensing and sophomore middle blocker Simon Anderson go up for a block against No. 4 UCLA.

In front of a rowdy crowd of 3,054 people, No. 1 Long Beach came out strong against No. 4 UCLA in a national championship rematch.

The 49ers extended their undefeated season 13-0, while the Bruins dropped to 10-4, racking up their second straight loss after a five set defeat Thursday night against No. 6 UCSB. Going back and forth in the first set, Long Beach pulled away to cap off a 25-20 win and never looked back.

The 49ers came out firing, providing immense service pressure, ammassing 12 total aces to the Bruins’ three.

Led by senior outside hitter TJ DeFalco, who collected five aces, Long Beach was also able to control the game with its blocking, limiting UCLA to a .260 hitting percentage.

“The best transfer in our play [from practice] was definitely in our serving and pass-

ing game,” head coach Alan Knipe said.

“The guys were loose and they were confident … overall the thing I was most proud of was the way we started every set, regardless of winning the previous set.”

Long Beach struggled against UCLA middle blocker Daenan Gyimah, who had nine kills on .692 hitting.

Fortunately for the 49ers, the Bruins didn’t utilize him enough as he only had 13 attempts. Apart from Gyimah, no one from UCLA hit higher than .333 — credit to Long Beach’s blocking up front.

“When you have service pressure, you’re going to bring some teams off the net and we wanted to capitalize on those moments,” senior setter Josh Tuaniga said. “Our timing, our blocking and just overall being together was one of our biggest focuses this week and it showed with some key stops.”

Long Beach had a game-high six blocks, forcing 15 UCLA hitting errors, paving the way for a sweep.

Long Beach will look to extend its win streak 7 p.m. Friday at the Walter Pyramid against CSUN.

12 SPORTS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019 | DAILY49ER.COM | SPORTSD49ER@GMAIL.COM

Senior utility Jamie Wren swings at a ball against Oregon State Sunday. The 49ers willed their way into a comeback to defeat the Beavers 6-4 in extra innings.

AUSTIN BRUMBLAY | Daily 49er

SOFTBALL

Long Beach comes back in extra innings Nichole Fry hits a walk-off homerun to end the game in the eighth inning.

By Sierra Martinez

Assistant Sports Editor MistJournalist

Fans jumped out of their seats as Nichole Fry hit a walk-off homerun in extra innings on the third day of the Stacy Winsberg Invitational.

Long Beach State (4-5) defeated Oregon State (8-2) 6-4 Sunday afternoon after the umpires decided to continue on with play despite the rainy weather.

“I felt like I was due because I hadn’t had a base hit yet,” Fry said. “I have to give all the credit to my teammates because they fought hard all game.”

Oregon State got a head start at the beginning of the game when senior outfielder Lovie Lopez scored on a bobble from soph-

omore infielder Alyssa Gonzales. Despite the Beavers’ attempt to shake up the 49ers early on, junior pitcher Ashley Coleman contained Oregon State to one run as they entered the bottom of the first.

Long Beach’s first two batters were unable to clear it through the infield and grounded out.

The 49ers broke their offense open when senior utility Jamie Wren shot a double to deep left and started the two-out rally.

Gonzales made up for her defensive error when her high shot to left field was dropped and allowed Wren to tag up and touch home.

The Beavers were held off from scoring until the fifth inning, when sophomore utility Missy Nunes dropped a shallow line drive into center field, bringing in freshman infielder Maia Radar to take the lead 2-1.

“Our focus was to come out and score

more often,” head coach Kim Sowder said.

“We wanted to compete each inning and get good at-bats.”

After two unsuccessful attempts by Long Beach to turn a double play, Oregon State runners found their way onto the bases in the fifth inning.

Freshman infielder Frankie Hammoude capitalized on the opportunity and brought in Lopez and Nunes with a low line drive to left field.

After sophomore Justine Briones was walked, Fry started the 49ers’ offensive attack in the fifth inning after getting to first base on a bobble by Radar, but was later called out at second base when sophomore outfielder Naomi Hernandez hit a grounder in an attempt to move Fry over.

Wren caused an error when she shot the ball to third base, moving Hernandez from first to third and scoring Briones.

Gonzales earned another RBI when she hit a shot down the left field line, successfully bringing in Hernandez.

Wren hustled to home during the play, and was called out as she attempted to slide behind the catcher, bringing disapproving remarks from the crowd.

Wren started the comeback in the bottom of the seventh when she dropped one up the middle into center field to earn a single.

A shot just over the shortstops head by junior infielder Taylor Rowland was enough to bring Wren home and extend the game.

With junior outfielder Breezy Wise placed on second due to the intentional tie breaker, Fry launched the ball over the left field fence and ended the game 6-4 with a walk-off homerun.

Long Beach hosts its next game 11 a.m Wednesday against Army.