Long Beach State Finally Gets to See What Jones Had in Mind All Along

Marcus Jones always knew he would wind up here.

It was his destiny to stand on a mound for Long Beach State, Jones believed, with the outcome riding on his right arm. He was unsure of the exact circumstances, but the moment was inevitable.

When the time came, Jones convinced himself he would be ready. It took a little longer than he anticipated, but the result proved to be worth the wait.

Friday night, Jones pitched a complete game in leading Long Beach past top-ranked Cal State Fullerton, 4-2, in front of 2,285 at Blair Field, giving his team sole possession of first place in the Big West Conference.

“These are the type of games you love to pitch in,” said Jones, a sophomore and 49er ace. “This is why I came here--for games like this.”

He skillfully pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning with only minimal damage, giving up one run. He saved himself and the game, 49er Coach Dave Snow said.

“To get out of that with only [giving up] one run was a big thing for him,” Snow said. “It was a big thing for our ballclub. That was probably the game right there.”

Jones, a former Esperanza High standout, gave up nine hits and struck out eight Titans in improving to 8-3. Snow recruited Jones to put the 49ers on top in clutch situations like these, and Jones finally proved he could do it.

Jones missed most of last season after becoming a medical redshirt when he suffered a dislocated left ankle and torn Achilles’ tendon in his second start. But he is is making up for lost time.

“He’s come an awfully long way, and I have a lot of confidence in him,” Snow said. “I came very close to taking him out in the eighth inning, and then I had to think twice about allowing him to start the ninth.

“But his presence and composure showed me a lot. When I saw him respond to what I was saying, I decided to leave him in.”

Good move, coach.

“Jones was very effective,” Titan Coach Augie Garrido said. “He got tougher when he needed to in the clutch.”

Yeah. Just like Jones always figured he would.