49ers Get a Lesson and Win

Alan Burke is the only Cal State Long Beach baseball player who was a member of both 49er teams that advanced to the College World Series, in 1989 and 1991.

Because of that experience, Burke has has been waiting all season for an opportunity to show younger 49ers how to react in pressure situations.

Burke, a senior first baseman from Ontario, got his chance Friday against Southwestern Louisiana in the opening game of the NCAA Division I Central Regional.

With two out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, Burke drove in two runs with a single up the middle, giving the 49ers a 7-6 victory before 3,200 at Disch-Falk Field.

Long Beach (35-19-1) advanced into the winner’s bracket of the six-team double-elimination tournament. The 49ers play Creighton (41-17-1) tonight at 6 (PDT).

The Blue Jays defeated Texas Arlington, 11-6, Friday in the other first-round game.

Long Beach, champion of the Big West Conference, overcame deficits of 4-0 and 6-4 to defeat Southwestern Louisiana (38-22), which finished second in the Sun Belt Conference.

Burke, who batted .315 with six home runs and 37 runs batted during the season, also had two doubles and scored three runs.

“Our ballclub has been like this all year,” Burke said. “The way we swing the bat, we’ve come back from being down, 7-0.

“On the hit that won it, I just got a chance to do what other people have done all season.”

Long Beach’s victory was similar to last season’s first-round game here against Southern Mississippi when the 49ers came from behind to win, 6-5, in 11 innings. In that game, left-hander Todd Taylor pitched four innings of relief for the victory.

Taylor, a junior who was 11-1 as a starter this season before Friday, gave up two runs in seven innings in relief of Mike Hernandez to earn the victory.

Long Beach was behind, 6-5, when Brian Whatley led off the bottom of the ninth with a single against Gary Haught (8-9), the Ragin’ Cajuns’ third pitcher. Cobi Cradle pinch-ran for Whatley and was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Lamarr Rogers.

Haught walked Johnny Mancha to put runners at first and second, and the runners advanced on a wild pitch. Jason Giambi was walked intentionally to load the bases and set up a possible double play.

Haught struck out Michael Case, leaving Southwestern Louisiana one out away from victory. But Burke hit a 2-and-2 curve ball through the infield to hand the Ragin’ Cajuns their 12th one-run loss.

Todd Pridy had a two-run double and Ed Christian extended his hitting streak to 22 games with two run-scoring singles for Long Beach.

Southwestern Louisiana outfielder Papo Ramos led off the game with his 16th homer and also had a two-run single in the second inning. All-American left-hander Javi DeJesus gave up four runs, four hits and walked four in 5 2/3 innings.