Long Beach Beats Oklahoma State in Central; Plays No. 5 Texas Today

Steve Trachsel pitched out of early problems to lead No. 15 Cal State Long Beach into the third round of the NCAA Central Regional with a 7-5 victory over ninth-ranked Oklahoma State Saturday night.

Long Beach (42-19) takes on Texas, top-seeded in the Central Regional, today. The 49ers have been able to win two games while saving ace Andy Croghan to face the Longhorns.

Oklahoma State (44-19) faces Alabama Birmingham in an elimination game.

Trachsel (11-5), a junior left-hander, gave up 11 hits and walked only one while striking out eight. Trachsel fell behind, 3-0, but he steadied after his teammate rallied for five runs in the third.

Scott Talanoa and Alan Burke hit home runs in the outburst and Brent Cooksen had a triple as Long Beach ended the Cowboys’ 13-game winning streak.

Fifth-ranked Texas (48-16) eliminated No. 22 Southern Mississippi, 18-2. Earlier in the day, the Golden Eagles (42-24) eliminated Rutgers, 10-9. The Scarlet Knights finished 29-29.