Knoff Pitches Perfect Game vs. Utah State
LBSU Takes Two over Aggies; Now 35-8 on the Season
April 9, 2004 LONG BEACH, CA -- Long Beach State senior pitcher Lindsey Knoff became the sixth player in school history to pitch a perfect game in a 4-0 LBSU victory over Utah State at the 49er Softball Complex on Friday afternoon. Knoff's perfect game comes less than a month after teammate Meredith Cervenka pitched a perfect game against Iowa on March 20. Long Beach State also defeated the Aggies, 5-0 in game one of the double-header.
The 49ers broke open a scoreless tie (in the second game) in the bottom of the fifth inning with three runs off of USU pitcher, Jessica Garnett. A Tiffanie Wedell two-out bunt single advanced Kourtnee Gervasi to third base and scored Roxanne Staniorski. Colleen Burdick then connected for a double that plated Gervasi, and moved Wedell to third base. Wedell then scored on a wild pitch from Garnett.
LBSU added one more run in the bottom of the sixth inning after Utah State pitcher, Jill Bruins walked home Arleigh Thorp.
Knoff (10-3) went 7.0 innings without allowing a hit or walk with three strikeouts for her second no-hitter and first perfect game of the season.
In the first game of the double-header, Long Beach State defeated the Aggies, 5-0. LBSU broke the game open in the bottom of the sixth inning with four runs off of Utah State pitcher, Leslie Higley. Wedell notched a two-out single to plate Cassie Preece, who pinch ran for Melanie McCauley. After Burdick reached base on an error by the USU short stop, Lauren Johnson connected for a shot to center field. However the error by the center fielder allowed Johnson to reach second base, and two more runs to score (Birdick, Wedell).
Meredith Cervenka collected the win (15-3) after allowing just four hits in 7.0 innings of work. She also registered five strikeouts. Cervenka has allowed just one run in her last 53.0 innings pitched. Thorp finished the game, 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Long Beach State (35-8, 5-0 Big West) wraps up its three-game series with Utah State (7-26, 3-2 Big West) tomorrow, Saturday, at the 49er Softball Complex at 1:00 p.m. Box Score (Game 1)
Box Score (Game 2) |
