{"id":345629,"date":"2026-06-03T23:48:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T23:48:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/345629\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T23:48:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T23:48:24","slug":"long-beach-coast-puts-on-a-winning-welcome-in-inaugural-home-opener","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/345629\/","title":{"rendered":"Long Beach Coast puts on a winning welcome in inaugural home opener"},"content":{"rendered":"

Facing a 3-2 count in the bottom of the second inning, Long Beach Coast slugger Thomas McCaffrey got the party started on opening night at Blair Field with one massive crack of the bat.<\/p>\n

McCaffrey\u2019s homer<\/a> kicked off an offensive onslaught which ended with the Coast routing the Red Pocket Mobiles (1-12) on their first-ever home game 13-4. Anchored by an impressive night from offensive powerhouse Jacob Jablonski<\/a>, who ended the night with 3 hits, 3 runners brought in and a home run of his own, Long Beach\u2019s newest team certainly made an entrance in their homecoming.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI put this team together knowing that this was the type of team it would be, and they are living up to expectations,\u201d said manager Troy Percival after the game, adding that Jablonski has been the \u201ccenterpoint\u201d of the clubhouse.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As if they needed more reason for celebration, the Coast (10-3) are tied for first in the Pioneer League and on a seven-game win streak. Growing pains be damned.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Long Beach Coast outfielder Thomas McCaffrey crushes the ball as the Coast tie the game 1-1 against the RedPocket Mobiles in the bottom of the second inning on June 2, 2026. (Samuel Chacko | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"\"Long Beach Coast fans stretch and sing along with one another during the seventh inning stretch on June 2, 2026 at Blair Field. (Samuel Chacko | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

The sold-out crowd on Tuesday, wearing both teal LBC and black and white Regulators merch, welcomed the Coast with boisterous cheers and chants interrupted only by the sounds of classic Warren G, Tupac and Snoop Dogg songs. Families, college students and local celebrities like Marilyn Bohl and Mayor Rex Richardson all seemed to revel in one fact: pro baseball has returned to Long Beach.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could feel it in your bones,\u201d Jablonksi said of his first home game. \u201cIt was juiced, and any little thing you did, it was just the roar of the crowd, so we\u2019re living the dream and it\u2019s just a blast \u2026 You can\u2019t ask for anything better.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Right-hander Brett Wozniak<\/a> took the mound to start for the Coast, striking out one batter and catching a runner trying to steal in the first inning. He ended the night with 4 strikeouts and 4 runs given up across five innings. Relief pitchers Julien Hernandez<\/a> and Cole Cressend<\/a> also saw playing time, earning 5 and 1 strikeouts, respectively.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Mobiles were the first to score, but McCaffrey\u2019s<\/a> homer in the bottom of the second galvanized the Coast\u2019s offense. After getting on the board, they loaded the bases with walks from Jablonksi and Matthew Bardowell<\/a>, followed by a Patrick Roche<\/a> single.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"In the bottom of the sixth inning, Jacob Jablonski, Long Beach Coast second baseman, slides home after an error at second base as the Coast took an 11-4 lead on June 2, 2026. (Samuel Chacko | Signal Tribune) <\/p>\n

\"\"Long Beach Coast right handed pitcher, Brett Wozniak, makes his third appearance in the season as he starts the Coast on June 2, 2026 against the RedPocket Mobiles. (Samuel Chacko | Signal Tribune) <\/p>\n

\"\"Long Beach Coast shortstop, Anthony Mata, throws the ball to first base after fielding the ball on June 2, 2026. (Samuel Chacko | Signal Tribune) <\/p>\n

Eddy Pelc<\/a> and Anthony Mata<\/a> both took advantage of a defensive lapse from the Mobiles, sending balls soaring into a gap in the outfield for back-to-back doubles and bringing runners home. The Coast ended the second inning up 5-1, and were just beginning their impressive performance.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When the Mobiles scored a run to start the third inning, Jablonski was quick to respond with a home run of his own, bringing McCaffrey home from first base and putting the Coast up 7-2 to start the fourth.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve just been going crazy as a team,\u201d Jablonski said. \u201cIf it\u2019s not me, if it\u2019s another guy \u2026 just going down the line. I think that\u2019s what makes a really good team, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Coast\u2019s defense was quick to stifle any attempts at a comeback throughout the night. A diving catch by Jablonski behind the foul line in the fourth inning was one of the loudest moments of the night, and players responded to pop flies and line drives with the ease of a team who had much more experience together than the 13 games they\u2019ve played.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Even with some fans leaving, Long Beach Coast fans were still dancing and doing the wave as it hit 9 p.m. at Blair Field on June 2, 2026. (Samuel Chacko | Signal Tribune) <\/p>\n

\"\"Long Beach Coast outfielder Thomas McCaffrey celebrates with his team and is given the Long Beach Regulator chain after hitting a home run and tying the game 1-1 for the Coast in the bottom of the second inning on June 2, 2026. (Samuel Chacko | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n

Perhaps this poise is the reason why Percival said after the game that it\u2019s his favorite team he\u2019s ever coached.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst of all, they\u2019re very talented, but they play together as a team,\u201d he said. \u201cNobody gets on anybody. They make mistakes, they know it\u2019s going to happen and they grind. I mean, if we\u2019re down six, up eight, whatever, they just grind out every play, every at bat. I haven\u2019t had to do a whole lot, to be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n

The home crowd was confident in the team\u2019s abilities as well, with many fans trusting the ballooning lead and leaving the game early, despite its historical significance. The half that remained stayed well after the game, reveling in the win and a new reason to rep their city.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Long Beach Coast will continue its homestand<\/a> against the Red Pocket Mobiles through June 7, followed by another home series against the Modesto Roadsters from June 9-14.<\/p>\n

\"SamanthaSamantha DiazManaging Editor<\/p>\n

Samantha is an award-winning journalist, sports fanatic and mother. She\u2019s worked for the Signal Tribune for over three years and is passionate about covering environmental news, small businesses, mutual aid efforts and resources. <\/p>\n

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