MANARINO, CERVENKA GARNER TOP LEAGUE HONORS
Thorp, Knoff, Farnworth: All-Conference
IRVINE, CA -- Head coach Pete Manarino, of the Long Beach State softball team, was named the Big West Conference Coach of the Year, while sophomore Meredith Cervenka was named the Co-Pitcher of the Year, as announced by the league office on Tuesday.
Manarino, who is currently in his 20th season with The Beach, guides LBSU to its 14th NCAA playoff appearance in school history this week when they face Fresno State on Thursday, May 15. After starting the season 10-14, the 49ers won 19 out of their last 22 games to reach the playoffs.
Manarino has won conference coach of the year honors in 1986, 1997, and 1999. He earned his 700th career victory this season as well, after a 2-0 upset victory over Stanford on February 28. Under Manarino, Long Beach State has made 14 NCAA appearances, five World Series, and has captured three conference titles.
Cervenka (La Crescenta) earned Co-Pitcher of the Year honors (Jodie Cox - CS Fullerton) after a blistering 11-0 record in league play with a 0.20 ERA. Cervenka, who has won four consecutive conference pitcher of the week awards, is currently 15-8 with a league low 1.16 ERA. She pitched 36 consecutive scoreless innings from April 27 to May 10, and has only given up just three runs in her last 71 innings. She has won 13 straight decisions. Cervenka was also named as a first-team selection.
Arleigh Thorp garnered second-team honors after placing in the top-10 in several offensive categories, including batting average (.310), runs (28), doubles (15), and slugging percentage (.651). Thorp broke the school record for career doubles, with 32.
Junior pitcher Lindsey Knoff and junior short stop Jamie Farnworth collected honorable mentions to round out the list for Long Beach State. Knoff has compiled a 14-9 record with a 1.55 ERA (fourth lowest in the league), while Farnworth is batting .211.
The 49ers will face Fresno State, May 15 at 10:00 a.m. in the NCAA Softball Playoffs, on the campus of Fresno State.
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