Dirtbags third baseman Dylan Lina batted .286/.407/.571 in 2025 before he sustained a season-ending injury in late March. Lina returns in 2026 for his senior season. Ethan Cohen | Long Beach Current
The 2025 season marked the start of a new era for the Long Beach State Dirtbags with the arrival of the ninth head coach in program history, TJ Bruce.
Though the team finished with a 22-31 record and went 15-15 in conference play, Bruce viewed these struggles as part of the adjustment that comes with change.
“It was our first time as a staff, trying to create a different culture and trying to add our spin on Dirtbag baseball, and these players adding their own spin the same way,” Bruce said. “I think that going into this year, we are way farther along.”
Since the conclusion of last season, the program has undergone some notable changes.
In the offseason, the team welcomed three new assistant coaches to work alongside Bruce, with Dirtbag alumni Jon Strauss, Abe Alvarez and Jeff Tagliaferri all returning to Long Beach State.
“You have to really embrace and understand the Dirtbag style of play, and these guys embody it,” Bruce said. “I am so fortunate, and these players and the program are so fortunate to have the coaches and the staff that we have surrounding us.”
Like many other programs across the country, the Dirtbags also experienced some roster movement through the transfer portal, with eight players announcing their intent to transfer following the 2025 season.
Among those eight players, LBSU saw two of last year’s top-performing players, starting pitcher Kellan Montgomery and shortstop Armando Briseno, head to rival Big West programs.
Montgomery returned to his hometown team at UC Santa Barbara, while Briseno transferred to Cal State Fullerton.
Former Dirtbags second baseman Armando Briseno slides into home against Northwestern University at Blair Field on Feb. 15. Briseno is one of several Dirtbags from the 2025 roster to leave via the transfer portal, and will play for conference rival Cal State Fullerton in 2026. Ethan Cohen | Long Beach Current
Now in 2026, half the roster is back, but youth defines this squad.
The Dirtbags roster includes eight freshmen and two redshirt freshmen, all preparing to pursue Bruce’s goals of unity, competitiveness and steady improvement.
Among the newcomers is freshman pitcher Jaxon Baker, who joined the Dirtbags this season after graduating from Paloma Valley High School in 2025. Baker was ranked the No. 4 left-handed pitcher in California by Perfect Game and ranked No. 49th in prospect in the country.
Despite the shift in chemistry, the team sees an opportunity to spotlight its depth and resilience.
The young and retooled squad’s first opportunity to prove themselves will be at the start of the 2026 season on Feb. 13, when the Dirtbags welcome the San Jose State Spartans to a three-game series.
LBSU’s senior infielder Dylan Lina had a fantastic start to the 2025 season, his first year with the Dirtbags since transferring from Golden West College.
The Carson native batted .286/.407/.571 before he sustained a season-ending injury in late March last year.
Despite the setback, Lina is excited to return healthy for the 2026 season.
“I was really focused on coming back, keeping my mental good and keeping sure that everyone’s good on the team,” Lina said. “I want to win. We want to win.”
Fans can expect the Bohl Diamond at Blair Field to be busy this spring.
This season’s schedule has the Dirtbags at home for 32 games, up from just 26 last season. Having home-field advantage matters, especially when the Dirtbags average nearly 2,000 fans per game.
“We’re blessed to have 30-plus home games this year,” Lina said. “I love playing, love protecting the crib; whoever comes here, it’s going to be fun regardless.”
As for expectations, Bruce did not offer any. Instead, he emphasized the importance of the team rallying together and taking the upcoming season one game at a time.
“We have a standard, and that’s the Dirtbag acronym: Discipline, Integrity, Responding, Toughness, Brotherhood, Accountability, Grit and Selfless,” Bruce said. “If we can represent those things in our daily life, then the expectations, results and the outcomes will take care of themselves.”
Xavier Constantino is a senior journalism major at California State University, Long Beach. Xavier transferred to CSULB as a junior, and joined the Long Beach Current as a contributor. He is now a sports assistant with the publication and plans to pursue a career in sports journalism after graduation.