Daily 49er, March 11, 2019

D 49

LONG BEACH STATE UNIVERSITY | VOL. LXX, ISSUE 36 | MARCH 11, 2019

er

POWerful celebration

American Indian tribes come together to share and learn about each other’s traditions.

Page 8

2 NEWS

MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2019 | DAILY49ER.COM | CITYD49ER@GMAIL.COM

INSIDE

ON THE COVER

NINER

THE

Adam Nordwall, 38, enters the arena for the Grand Entry Sunday with daughters Cordelia, 3, and 7-month-old Camille.

LBSU sees more students graduating each year page 3

PAULA KILEY Daily 49er

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

1250 Bellflower Blvd., LA4-201 Long Beach, CA 90840-4601 Kat Schuster Editor in Chief eicd49er@gmail.com

News Editor Sports Editor

Opinion: Becoming a journalist is risk I’m willing to take page 9

By Jonathan Rulison Staff Writer

Sabrina Flores opedd49er@gmail.com

Multimedia Managing Editor Advertising Account Executive

Photo Editor

and the reporting party elected not to file a report.

Unwanted dancer outside the library Attempted burglary in the Theatre Arts building An attempted burglary in the Theatre Arts building was reported on the morning of Feb. 28. According to Capt.

Richard Goodwin of the University Police Department, the thief or thieves gained entrance to room 31 through the unlocked front door and made “obvious pry marks” on the newly-installed cabinets in an attempt to steal the contents. The cabinets remain uncompromised and the only item reported stolen was makeup from a nearby table.

There were no witnesses at the scene

An older homeless man with a wheelchair reportedly called out to women, waved at people and danced outside the University Library on the morning of Feb. 28. The UPD was alerted and the man left campus voluntarily.

About an hour prior, a witness reported the same man outside the Psychology building where he was cleaning himself in his wheelchair.

Vendor booth gem thief

Two gems were reported stolen from an outside vendor’s booth in front of the convenience store during the morning of March 3. The thief swiped

a labradorite wolf head and a larimar stone, valued around $800 total. The thief left the stand before the owner noticed. According to Goodwin, the stones were likely laying out in the open to be viewed.

Red-hot Mustang in G2

Around noon on Feb. 28, a student reported a vehicle fire in the G2 parking lot. When university police officers arrived at the north side of the parking lot they found an abandoned Ford Mustang with smoke coming from its raised hood. The officers sprayed the smoky engine bay with a fire extinguisher and stopped the smolder. The fire department was alerted but the call was canceled because the fire was extinguished.

Kevin Colindres sportsd49er@gmail.com

Opinions Editor

Design Editor

UPD responds to a gem thief, a vehicle fire and an attempted burglary

Austin Brumblay d49ernews@gmail.com

Rachel Barnes artsnlifed49er@gmail.com

Copy Editor

CRIME BLOTTER

Samantha Diaz Managing Editor managingd49er@gmail.com

Arts & Life Editor

Special Projects Editor

Softball loses in extra innings page 12

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Assistant News Editor

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Assistant Sports Editor

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Assistant Sports Editor

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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.

Letters Policy: All letters and email must bear the phone number of the writer and must be no more than 300 words.

The Daily 49er reserves the right to edit letters for publication in regard to space.

NEWS 3

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CSULB Twitter

According to Provost Brian Jersky, rates have risen from 16 percent in 2015 to 28 percent. These rates exceeded the goal the school set for this years graduation rates, which was 24 percent.

COMMENCEMENT

LBSU continues to graduate more students each year Four-year graduation rates rise by 12 percent from 2015 to 2018.

By Amanda Moreno Staff Writer

Long Beach State’s dedication to helping students graduate in four years has yielded the highest graduation rates in a decade.

The graduation rate rose from 16 percent in 2015 to 28 percent in 2018, according to LBSU Provost Brian Jersky.

“It’s great news,” Jersky said, “In 2018 the number of students who graduated in four years was 28 percent and our goal was 24 percent.”

Jersky attributed the sharp increase in student success to the faculty, students and staff who have all worked to make the rate increase possible.

“One of the big things that we’ve done is make sure that we have more proactive advising,” Jersky said. “Academic Affairs has been focusing on increasing the number of advisors so students have more resources for academic planning. In addition to technological support, the campus has also increased the amount of tutors on campus.”

In 2018 the California State University

Courtesy of Brian Jersky

system executed the Graduation Initiative 2025 to increase graduation rates for freshmen and transfers among all CSU campuses. The CSU goal is produce a 40 percent four-year graduation rate for freshman and 45 percent rate for two-year transfer students. “[LBSU]’s goal is to raise the four-year graduation rate to 39 percent by 2025,”

Jersky said.

Associated Students Inc. also credits the increase in graduates to the programs they provide for students.

“Initiatives on campus such as the Basic Needs Program takes a holistic look at students’ well-being both inside and outside the classroom, addressing housing and food insecurity on our campus to support

students on their path to graduation,” said Emely Lopez, chief academic officer for ASI. According to ASI President Genesis Jara, events and services provide students with a sense of community that impacts their academic performance, retention and timely graduation.

Jara added that ASI needs to continue breaking down barriers that students face so that the rate can continue to improve every year.

According to Jersky, one of the problems with the Graduation Initiative 2025 is that students may worry that the school is pushing them out too quickly.

“I don’t feel rushed,” said Justin Rodriguez, a fourth year student, “I actually like that there are so many resources on campus to keep you on track.” Both Jersky and Jara said that it is important that students who want to graduate in four years have the opportunity to do so.

“Our goal is not to rush students, but to offer students who want to finish in four years a clear, barrier-free pathway to doing it,” Jersky said.

4 ARTS & LIFE

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FEATURE

To the beat of tradition Head Man Dancer Shigo Yellow Horse continues his path to honor his culture at Long Beach State.

By Samantha Diaz Managing Editor samanthadiaz98

As the steady sound of drums and singing filled the air, Shigo Biiliilitso, or Yellow Horse felt the music in his heart. Holding his baby in his arms, the 23-year-old Navajo circled the Central Quad along with members of other tribes, all connecting through the music as they stomped on the ground, jingled the bells on their clothing and moved gracefully among one another in a flurry of color and sound.

“This is everything, this is who I am, it’s a way of life,” he said. “I hear a good beat and I’ll feel it in my heart and I’ll hear it in my head and I’ll feel like I’m the only one dancing.”

Despite the whirlwind of color, Biiliilitso stands out in the crowd of dancers in his red and yellow top, large porcupine roach headdress and 1-year-old baby wrapped in a tribal patterned blanket.

His calm, rhythmic movements are different than that of most on the grassy field. His movements are leisurely and his face without emotion as he does the men’s prairie chicken dance, one of six men’s dances. The style is more slow paced and deliberate as it’s meant to be a healing and medicine dance from the Northern Plains.

It’s like a runner’s high, Biiliilitso explains, when a really good prairie chicken song comes on; when he hears the boom, boom, boom of the drums and can feel it in line with his heartbeat. It’s something he got to experience at the 49th annual Pow Wow this weekend as he led around 30 various tribes as this year’s Head Man Dancer. On the first day of the event, he ushered in a number of dances, delivered speeches on behalf of his tribe and handed out gifts to respected elders, family members and friends — all responsibilities of Head Man Dancer.

“It’s an honor, I think it’s amazing,” he said. “Out of all these dancers that are here, they chose me which I think is pretty awesome, I love it.”

Biiliilitso was chosen for the role during last year’s Pow Wow celebration because he has extensive knowledge of the various styles of dances and travels throughout the states for dancing competitions.

His local connection to Long Beach also made him a clear choice for the role, as his family has been attending Pow Wow for as long as he can remember.

His father, Jorge Lechuga has participated in Long Beach’s Pow Wow for the past 45 years and bringing his kids, who now bring their own kids as a matter of passing down tradition and values.

“It’s like teaching your kid to jump rope, it’s something you teach in mainstream society. For us, we teach our kids how to dance and sing, that’s just part of our lives that’s what we do. Shigo grew up in it,” Lechuga said.

Biiliilitso is also following in his father’s footsteps by attending Long Beach State, where he was just accepted for fall 2019 as a sports therapy major. Lechuga graduated from the university in 1994, and now two of his three children are attending his alma mater.

The school has special connections for the family. Biiliilitso recalls coming to the university every Friday with friends and family to practice drumming and singing for hours on end.

“That’s probably why I wanted to come here,” he said. “I’ve always kind of been here, it felt like home.”

Biiliilitso seamlessly switches between the role of Head Man Dancer and father throughout the day, as he takes off his snapback and puts on his headdress to prepare for a dance. His girlfriend straightens out the brown, white and green feathers, fixes his bells and kisses Chase on the forehead as they set out in a steady rhythm with the others in the circle.

SAMANTHA DIAZ | Daily 49er

Shigo Biiliilitso (Yellow Horse) holds his baby in between dances.

ARTS & LIFE 5

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CELEBRATION

Puvungna Pow Wow shines again The 49th annual two-day event offers unique opportunity to experience and celebrate American Indian culture.

By Ralston Dacanay Staff Writer

“RAIN OR SHINE!” headlined flyers for the 49th annual Puvungna Pow Wow and Outreach at Long Beach State. Shine it did.

Each thunderous drum hit galvanized a resounding turnout of guests singing and dancing together on the Central Quad Saturday afternoon. One of the biggest events of its kind in Southern California, the Pow Wow reinforced Long Beach’s storied support for the American Indian community.

Led by several American Indian student organizations, student counseling services, and Associated Students, Inc., the weekend-long event invited visitors to celebrate American Indian culture. “[The Pow Wow] is not a spectator event,” said Arlie Neskahi (Diné), master of ceremony. “It’s not a performance. This is the style that we have developed to share with one another and because it’s open to all, people can come and be here and experience.”

This was Neskahi’s fourth year traveling down from Seattle to be the Master of Ceremony for the event.

“It’s always been an amazing thing for me that as [a] Native [person],” Neskahi said, “How much spirit and how much medicine is created right in the middle of an urban area.

We got brick buildings. We got technology all around. But when we come together like this, we bring this spirit that is ageless and these songs and ceremonial ways that go back [with] our people thousands of years.”

Neskahi said his goals heading into the event were to liven the crowd with the history of Native songs and dance, support the students as future professionals and thank the university’s administration for maintaining a good relationship with the American Indian community.

He also felt that this event presented an opportunity to combat harmful stereotypes established by the longtime, deceptive portrayal of Natives in the media.

“Especially with today’s political climate, it’s really vital that people have a face-to-face

SABRINA MESSAOUDI | Daily 49er

Dancer Darren Hensen leads the Grand Opening of the 49th Annual Pow Wow event.

connection with Native people to see for themselves who we are and how we think,” Neskahi said. “Also, the understanding of the huge diversity [among American Indians.] We’re not just one people. We’re all these [different] nations.”

Over 15 different flags, each representing a different tribe, circled the arena that hosted the singers and dancers. Lines full of people ready to taste authentic fry bread and Indian Tacos were formed farmers’ market-style. From the ever-popular dreamcatchers to personalized leather bracelets, nearly 50 different vendors sold traditional and contemporary native art and clothing.

The Pow Wow is a unique opportunity for students to experience American Indian culture, a sentiment echoed by the support from nearby schools and universities.

Alex Lora, a Long Beach Polytechnic High School student, and Amanda Nguyen, a Los Alamitos High School student, saw the Grand Entry for the first time after their teachers offered them extra credit to attend.

“It’s really nice to see all the different outfits that they’re wearing to celebrate their culture,” Lora said.

Lora and Nguyen said that they hope the Pow Wow is a step in the right direction to end the general public’s “pattern of ignorance” pertaining to American Indian culture.

“I think there’s definitely stereotypes that go around that are very prominent,” Nguyen said, “But they have these events so we can experience the culture and understand and respect what they’re going through.”

For Cal State Los Angeles student Ethan Gonzalez, a history project encouraged him to see something he wouldn’t normally be exposed to.

“It’s crazy how music and dancing is just embedded in every culture,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve never seen anything like it before. I didn’t realize how big this [event] was in general and how many people come together for it.”

6 ARTS & LIFE Dominique Lombardi Wanikik Cahuilla tribe

ARTS & LIFE 7

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Bird designs “Our [Cahuilla] tribe, we believe we came from the birds. We’re the bird people. So I have the hummingbird.

The reason why the hummingbird goes from flower to flower is to create life for us.”

Eagle head staff “My eagle head staff was given to me by an elder. They told me to keep it [while] dancing.”

Red-tailed hawk feather headpiece “This is from a dream I had when I was a little boy.”

Otter fur

Black Star Eyed Eagle Steven Garcia

“Animals will sacrifice themselves... so we carry on their lives in a circle.”

Tobacco lids

Tongva tribe

“Tobacco, to us indigenous people, is very sacred. For my tribe, tobacco is known as our Mukat, our creator, that’s his heart.”

University of California Riverside Pow Wow Princess Katianna Warren dances in the arena for the Grand Entry Sunday.

ATTIRE

Regalia regal of culture Dancers of different tribes don unique fits at the 49th annual Long Beach Pow Wow.

By James Chow Copy Editor tabasfat

When Black Star Eyed Eagle Steven Garcia was a kid, he had a recurring dream about a red-tailed hawk.

It wasn’t until the Tongva native was well into his 30s when he dreamt of the bird again. Two weeks later, he received two sets of red-tail feathers from two different people and found smaller feathers on a hike, which would later be a focal point of his dance regalia. His headpiece was complete.

Garcia wore this personalized headpiece at the 49th annual Long Beach Pow Wow. Participants’ attire varied in colors and pieces dependent on their affiliated style of dance, tribe and personal preference.

Head Woman dancer Dominique Lombardi wore a jingle dress during her medicine dance routine, adopted from the Anishinaabe and Ojib-

we people. Tobacco cone lids jingled with each side step movement, signifying the sound of rain for purification.

As a native of the Cahuilla tribe in the Morongo reservation, Lombardi adorned the tobacco lids to honor the creator of her people.

“Tobacco to us indigenous people is very sacred,” Lombardi said. “For my tribe, tobacco is known as our Mukat, our creator, that’s his heart.

We use that as a sign of medicine.”

Dancers like Lombardi have a lot of items stitched and tied to their clothing. But accumulating the items necessary for the regalia takes time.

From beading moccasins to gathering feathers, the process of making handmade attire is a community effort.

Osteen Bob, a southern style dancer of the Navajo people, has been crafting his outfit for over 20 years, picking apart and adding new pieces along the way.

“I’ve been doing this since I was 2,” Bob said.

“I’m 29 now ... Throughout the years, I started getting older, so I [had to] make things bigger.”

Many times, pieces of an outfit are acquired as gifts from elders. Carlos Miranda, a 14-yearold northern traditional old style dancer, was bestowed his aprons, feathers and bells from his mentor. His moccasin boots, tied with jingling bells, played a mellow-paced tune with every step, akin to his style of dance. “[My shoes] are traditional style footwear,” Miranda said. “I started out with a black pair of Nikes. And then my dad actually got these [boots] for me, so I can actually fully dance.”

Gavin Watts, a boy scout and sophomore from Los Alamitos high school, received his bald eagle feather headpiece from an elder in the Cheyenne tribe. Experiences like these are necessary to the intergenerational community aspect of the tribe.

Often times, the older generation will gift items to a younger dancer to use in a style of dance.

“It’s like when I see a kid doing really well and see a style of dancing, if I [have] something he can use, I just give it to him,” Garcia said. “A lot of times [people tell me], ‘Oh you can sell that,’ but that’s not what it’s about.”

Hawk feathers “It represents battle... All those feathers trailing down are the victorious warriors.”

PAULA KILEY | Daily 49er

Bird feathers, otter fur and porcupine roaches were common items donned by Pow Wow participants. Despite the difference in regalia based on dance styles, the presence of animals was apparent in the outfits worn by the dancers to symbolize the circular ongoings of life.

“Animals will sacrifice themselves ... so we carry on their lives in a circle,” Lombardi said.

Much of the animals stitched, beaded or placed on the outfits were representative of the dancers’ tribe. Lombardi based her turquoise jingle dress on her people, who believe they came from birds.

She donned a beaded hummingbird and quail on her outfit, with the blue base representing the sky.

Stitched on Bob’s apron was a traditional waterbird to symbolize his people’s church. On the back of his regalia, he wore golden eagle feathers as a sign of his style of southern dancing.

“Swimmers, crawlers, fliers, you name it, they’re all sacred because we all take turns,” Garcia said.

“When I’m laid out in the ground and become dirt, the animals will be living on me. We all trade places.”

Graphics by Miguel Martinez based on photos taken by James Chow. The outfits are worn

by Dominique Lombardi (left) and Black Star Eyed Eagle Steven Garcia (right).

MIGUEL MARTINEZ Daily 49er

8 ARTS & LIFE

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FAMILY

Everlasting tradition The two-day Pow Wow festival showcases Native American tradition throughout multiple generations.

SABRINA MESSAOUDI | Daily 49er

Dad O’steen Bob, 29, and his nephew Marcel, 4, left, and son Brayan, 3, from the Navajo tribe at the Annual Pow Wow event.

By Rachel Barnes Arts & Life Editor rachelsalien

F

rom young children to elders, different tribes from across California came together to display the way they dress, celebrate and create, at the 49th annual Pow Wow on Long Beach State’s campus this weekend.

The 49th annual Pow Wow on Long Beach State’s campus this weekend showcased decades of American Indian tradition from dance style to the food served.

“It’s going to be up to you to carry on these traditions in future times,” said Master of Ceremony Arlie Neskahi over the loudspeaker.

LBSU’s Pow Wow is the oldest and largest university Pow Wow in America, according to Naskahi. People attending, such as Susan Jackson and Annette Phoenix, said the event is great because they

get to see people younger than them carry on tradition.

Jackson felt that part of the importance of Pow Wow is that tribes can celebrate, pray and learn from each other at the event. Each family and tribe has different traditions that they pass on through the ages.

“It’s easy in this big city for us to get lost and lose our tradition,” Phoenix said.

One young boy, Talon Alford, sat near the center of the action getting ready to dance at the celebration. The 7-year-old boy has been at every Pow Wow for the last four years and has been dancing since he was two-years-old.

“I learn how to be a better Indian dancer every time I come here,” Talon said.

Talon’s dad, Skye Alford, is a dancer as well and passed on different types of dancing to Talon. At home, they practice northern traditional dancing every day and learn more about American Indian culture.

Around the event, fathers and mothers stood with their children in their personal regalia, some even cradling their young babies as they participated in the gourd dance, which is a traditional dance of the Kiowa tribe to honor warriors and veterans. One father, Osteen Bob stood with his 3-year-old son Brayan and his 4-year-old nephew Marcel in their regalia as people took pictures of them.

Bob and his family appreciate the privilege to be able to come to Pow Wow together to share tradition. He talked about the traditions his parents handed down to him and added that he’s raising his children they way they would have wanted.

“It’s everything to us to be able to show our tradition,” Bob said. “Everything I was taught when I was little is going to be passed on to him.”

The act of passing down stories and tribal traditions has always been part of American Indian history. Elders still pass along these stories today and plan to do so

for as long as time goes on.

Couple Linda Julio Rodriguez, 67, and Julio Rodriguez, 71, said they enjoy being part of educating young people on Native American History.

“It all started with my older sister,” Linda said. “She was one of the first Native American teachers for L.A. Unified and loved educating kids on Native American folklore and tradition.”

Once her sister’s kids started school she saw the lack of American Indian history that was being taught and wanted to change that. Before her sister died, she spent her time traveling to different schools to teach kids about tradition.

This weekend’s Pow Wow connected over 50 different tribes from all over and gave attendees and participants a unique view on the varying cultures and customs.

“Even though we’re all Native American we’re all different,” Jackson said. “We are able to see and learn from different people and even elders.”

OPINIONS 9

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MEDIA

Don’t shoot the messenger Journalists receive too much hate for doing their jobs.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY SABRINA FLORES | Daily 49er

Journalists shouldn’t have to fear for their lives every day.

By Rachel Barnes Arts & Life Editor rachelsalien

H

i my name is Rachel and I am a journalist, but according to President Donald Trump last October, I’m also an “enemy of the people.”

I’m not usually one to beg for recognition, but the persecution that journalists face in my field is absolutely unwarranted.

According to NBC, documents surfaced showing that the American government was monitoring journalists at the U.S. and Mexico border while they were reporting on the migrant caravan situation occurring there.

The leaked list included information from journalists, activists and photographers that authorities found worthy of security screening at the border.

Some on the list were even detained

for, again, simply being journalists.

If constant monitoring and the fear of being arrested for asking questions isn’t enough to scare you, a man from Maryland was arrested recently for planning to mass murder both journalists and Democrats.

To put this into perspective for you, less than one month ago this man was in possession of 15 guns and 1,000 rounds of ammunition with the intention to kill journalists and “leftists in general.”

On top of having to worry about secret data collection and being potential targets of mass murder, journalists who dare to challenge their institutions of government sometimes face deadly consequences. According to the Washington Post, Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist from Saudi Arabia, was murdered late last year for criticizing its government.

Every day, Khashoggi said he feared

for his life because of his government; his fears were confirmed when the Saudi crown prince ended up having him killed. In the weeks following his murder, it was reported by The Business Insider that the Saudi government lied in multiple instances about what happened to Khashoggi.

At first, the Saudi Arabian government attempted to cover up the reporter’s murder before finally admitting they had him assassinated. Not only was Khashoggi’s death denied by the Saudi government, but Trump stood in staunch defense of crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman through the entire process. This raised unconfirmed speculations of people wondering if Trump was involved in the cover up and an enemy of journalists.

Now, I won’t ignore that journalists have abused their power and printed false information. For example, Sabrina Rubin Erdely is a reporter who was

found guilty of defamation because of her article in the Rolling Stone, “A Rape on Campus.”

I’m also not going to deny that liberal and conservative journalists alike have failed the American people at times.

Coverage from both CNN and FOX news on the 2016 presidential election were examples, in my opinion, of journalists and news sources failing to properly inform the voting public.

The press is a vital, albeit unofficial, branch of government and an important part of democracy because it holds politicians accountable and informs voters. The job we do means something, and I don’t take that lightly.

I don’t regret entering the field of journalism, but I can say that in our current society I fear for the future of reporters.

By no means am I saying I’m a hero for choosing this career, but I’m most certainly not an “enemy of the people.”

10 SPORTS

MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2019 | DAILY49ER.COM | SPORTSD49ER@GMAIL.COM

BIG WEST TOURNAMENT BRACKET Men’s Basketball #1 UC Irvine

#3 Fullerton

vs #8

UC Riverside

Women’s Basketball vs

#6

6:00 P.M.

UC Davis 2:30 P.M.

First Round #6 Fullerton

#3 Irvine

vs #7

vs

Long Beach

#6

8:30 P.M. #2 UC Santa Barbara

#4 Hawai’i

vs #7

Northridge

vs #5

Long Beach State

12:00 P.M.

8:30 P.M.

ALL GAMES PLAYED MARCH 14 AT THE HONDA CENTER AND BROADCASTED ON ESPN3/WatchESPN

UC Santa Barbara 6:00 P.M.

Second Round Winner will face No. 4 CSUN

Winner will face No. 3 Riverside

FIRST AND SECOND ROUND WILL TAKE PLACE MARCH 12-13 AT THE BREN EVENTS CENTER AND BROADCASTED ON ESPN3/WatchESPN

FREE Gift when you open a Free Checking Account at Southland Credit Union Long Beach!*

*While supplies last. Membership subject to eligibility.

SPORTS 11

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Freshman infielder Tyler Porter prepares to swing at the ball against No. 23 TCU Sunday. The Dirtbags dropped the game 10-4.

AUSTIN BRUMBLAY | Daily 49er

BASEBALL

Horned Frogs’ offense overwhelms Dirtbags Long Beach loses series to No. 23 TCU with a 10-4 loss.

By Robert Hollar Staff Writer

In his Dirtbags debut, Nick Avila checked the two runners in scoring position before delivering the pitch in the sixth inning of a tie game. The ball flew back over his head as TCU’s Adam Oviedo drove a two-run triple propelling No. 23 TCU (9-5) to a 10-4 victory over the Dirtbags (2-12) Sunday.

“We kind of disappeared on the offensive end,” head coach Troy Buckley said.

The loss leaves the Dirtbags still looking for their first series win of the season.

TCU was able to tee off against Dirtbags’ freshman starting LHP Alfredo Ruiz, who

has experienced a loss in velocity since high school. A solo home run to left field from Andrew Keefer tied the game 2-2 in the second inning.

“Probably Ruiz is going to be out of the rotation,” Buckley said.

In just 2.2 innings of work, Ruiz (0-3) allowed four extra base hits. He allowed three runs on five hits while striking out three and walking three. He was a no-decision.

“I think he’s gotten into some bad habits as far as where his arm slot is going,” Buckley said.

Dirtbags freshman RHP Jonathan Carlos relieved Ruiz and threw a wild pitch giving TCU a 3-2 lead. A nice spinning grab and throw by freshman Tanner Carlson at third ended the inning.

The Dirtbags still showed grit Sunday. In the bottom of the third, senior DH Laine Huffman was hit by the pitch extending his on-base streak to seven games. He was driven in by junior RF Calvin Estrada’s fifth hit of the series. A walk then loaded the bases and knocked TCU starter Brandon Williamson out of the game.

“We knew the bats were gonna come around, we just had to keep grinding, keep finding a way and that really showed this weekend,” Estrada said.

Williamson was replaced by junior RHP Charles King, who pitched five innings of relief and was the eventual winning pitcher.

Carlson hit into a routine double play, scoring one run which put the Dirtbags ahead 4-3 after three innings.

The Dirtbags’ bullpen did not allow a hit until TCU smacked two singles to put runners on the corners in the sixth and bringing Avila out for his Dirtbags’ debut.

Avilia, who missed the start of the season recovering from an arm injury, allowed a game-tying single to the first batter he faced.

A passed ball set the stage for Oviedo’s triple. Avila strolled back to the dugout trailing 7-4.

“Our bullpen has got to get figured out at this particular point,” Buckley said.

Two more runs in the seventh put the game in TCU’s pocket and dealt the loss to LHP Basilio Pacheco (1-2).

The Dirtbags continue the homestand 6 p.m. Tuesday against No. 2 UCLA at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field.

12 SPORTS

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SOFTBALL

Long Beach can’t hang with UCLA A three-run homer by Jamie Wren keeps the 49ers in the game, but fall short in extra innings.

By Sierra Martinez

Assistant Sports Editor MistJournalist

A sold out crowd of 1046 roared with excitement in the first inning as Jamie Wren launched the ball over the right field fence and brought in three runs to put the 49ers in the lead against a ranked team. This would be the highest point of the game as Long Beach State fell to No. 3 UCLA 5-3 in a battle between the two hosts of the Louisville Slugger Invitational.

Because of the locality of the teams, fans quickly filled the stands and people were denied entry at the start of the game due to insufficient seating. LBSU event staff accomodated by allowing guests to sit in the grass area near the UCLA dugout, and the remaining fans were let into the complex during the first inning.

After a slow start by the Bruins on the offensive end, Long Beach came out strong in the bottom of the first inning. Senior shortstop Nichole Fry fired up the offense when she found herself on base with a low shot up the middle, but was sacrificed at second when sophomore outfielder Naomi Hernandez slapped to the third baseman.

With Hernandez on first, junior designated player Taylor Rowland hit a slow bouncer to the pitcher and an overthrow at second gave both players safety. Cleanup batter senior utility Wren stepped in the box and launched the ball over the right field fence, bringing in three runs and earning her fifth home run of the season.

“It felt good. It was nice to see my team supporting me at the plate and get ahead in

the first inning,” Wren said.

The Bruins wasted no time responding when senior outfielder Taylor Pack lead off the lineup in the second inning and sent the ball over the left field fence, earning a solo home run and bringing the score to 3-1.

UCLA attacked again in the third, when freshman left fielder Kelli Godin was walked and junior center fielder Bubba Nickles was hit by a pitch. Sophomore designated player Aaliyah Jordan sent the ball down the right foul line, earning a triple and tying the game 3-3. The tying run was not scored with ease, as Nickles slid around the catcher and brushed the plate with her hand to avoid the tag by sophomore catcher Justine Briones.

With Jordan on second due to the International Tie Breaker, a single by junior first baseman Rachel Garcia and a sacrifice bunt by senior designated hitter Zoe Shaw put runners in scoring position. UCLA head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez made the decision to substitute in sophomore infielder Malia Quarles to pinch hit for senior third baseman Brianna Tautalafua, and this decision ultimately led to the Bruins earning the win. Quarles smashed a double down the left field line and brought in two runs.

The 49ers had a chance to come back in the bottom of the 8th, but were unable to produce additional runs.

“I’m pleased with our effort. I wish we could’ve won that game, but I thought we competed well,” head coach Kim Sowder said. “We need to continue to build from this and continue to get better and let the struggles strengthen us.”

Long Beach faces Boston in the Easton Invitational 11 a.m. Friday at Fullerton.

AUSTIN BRUMBLAY | Daily 49er

Junior pitcher Kellie White pitches against No. 3 UCLA Sunday in a 5-3 loss that went extra innings