IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine's bats were stifled from a complete game shutout by LBSU's Darren McCaughan as the Dirtbags took the series opener, 4-0, Friday night at Anteater Ballpark.

Long Beach State (23-13, 8-2) took the early advantage with help from a bunt single and an error to score the game's opening run in the second inning on a double play ball from David Banuelos for the 1-0 lead.

The scoreboard filled up with zeroes for the next six inning as McCaughan and Louis Raymond dealt stunting any signs of offense into the ninth inning with the same 1-0 score.

The Dirtbags opened up the ninth with a Daniel Jackson solo HR and a pair of singles to finally drive Raymond from the game. They would tack on three runs total in the frame to give more than enough cushion to McCaughan who would complete the shutout and the LBSU win, 4-0.

The shutout is the first of Anteater hitting in 115 games dating back to April 12, 2015 when the Dirtbags were also responsible. McCaughan's complete game was his second of the season improving his record to 5-2 as he allowed just three hits and no walks alongside five strikeouts.

Raymond was tagged with three runs, two of them earned, over a career-high eight innings and 112 pitches. He also struck out seven hitters, a career high and high for any UCI pitcher in 2017.

Three singles were all the 'Eaters (14-21, 2-5) could muster from Ryan Johnston, Mikey Duarte, and Adrian Damla. Johnston was the only Anteater to reach twice as he was also hit by a pitch, and made a dazzling diving catch in the field to save another run.

LBSU got a four-hit game from Ramsey Romano and three-hit efforts from Brock Lundquist and Jarren Duran, but Raymond was able to scatter it enough to keep the game close. Jackson scored twice and had an RBI to go with his home run.

UCI's chances at the postseason continue to dwindle, but still remain with two games left to take the series. The teams are back at it on Saturday, April 22, with a 2:00 p.m. first pitch.