Hemmerling Chains Freebirds with a Record 10 Strikeouts
The Long Beach Coast (42-11) regulated the Yuba-Sutter Freebirds (15-38) in an 8-6 comeback victory on Saturday night, rebranding for the weekend as the Long Beach Regulators.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 1 |
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0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | X | 8 | 11 | 1 |
LONG BEACH, CA – The Long Beach Coast (42-11) regulated the Yuba-Sutter Freebirds (15-38) in an 8-6 comeback victory on Saturday night, rebranding for the weekend as the Long Beach Regulators. In a contest with three lead changes, starter Nathan Hemmerling set the pace on the mound with a team record 10 strikeouts.
The right-hander left the ballgame with a 4-2 lead, allowing just one earned tally with four hits and the first-ever double-digit K total. Out of the bullpen, left-hander Jake Dixon pitched just one third of a frame, allowing three runs on three hits, but the clean-up act rescued the evening.
Rookie Jonathan Kozasky earned his first professional win with 1.2 IP, surrendering one run on one hit with a pair of strikeouts. Closer Zach Voelker furthered his league-best saves total to 12 with a no-hit, two-K ninth.
A four-run rally carried the Coast into a cruise in the second inning. Designated hitter Cuba Bess and second baseman Jacob Jablonski led off the frame with back-to-back home runs. Left fielder Eddy Pelc extended his season-long on-base streak to 53 with a two-run double.
Catcher Johnny Pappas re-tied the matchup after a four-run seventh elevated Yuba-Sutter into a 6-4 advantage. The Chino Hills-native snapped a two-run single to even the ballgame for his fourth multi-RBI appearance of 2026.
Pelc reappeared in the clutch with another double in the fourth inning and a single to lead off the game-winning frame in the eighth. Pinch hitter Jaxon Byrd brought Pelc home on a sacrifice fly, and Jablonski showed up for the insurance with another sac fly.
Long Beach will attempt to sweep Yuba-Sutter for the third time in the series finale on Sunday at Blair Field. The contest shifts into action at 1:05 p.m. PDT with gates opening at 12:05 p.m. Fans can tune into the broadcast on the Home Team Network and Coast YouTube page at 12:45 p.m. for the Beach Ball Pre-Game Report.
Jesse Cook