49ers Prepare For Cornell
LSBU Makes 15th NCAA Regional Appearance as No. 3 Seed
May 17, 2004 PDF VERSION of this RELEASE 48-11, 18-3 / Big West Champions
Up Next: NCAA Regionals (UCLA) • May 20-23
ESPN/USA Softball Rank: No. 19 / NFCA Rank: No. 18
Quickly:
Long Beach State will make its 15th NCAA Regional Appearance as the No. 3 seed in the UCLA Regional, May 20-23. The 49ers will open tournament play vs. Ivy League Champion, Cornell (39-11) on Thursday, May 20 at 9:00 a.m. at Easton Stadium. All games at the UCLA Regional will have Live Stats provided. Be sure and check out the UCLA website: www.uclabruins.com for all of the tournament information. LBSU earned the automatic NCAA Playoff berth after capturing its fourth conference crown in school history on Friday, May 14 with a pair of wins over CSUN. After sweeping CS Northridge, Long Beach State has won 11 straight conference season-series (dating back to 2003), and 13 out of the last 14 (also dating back to last season). LBSU won all seven conference series this season, dropping just three games total. The 49ers compiled an .857 conference winning percentage, highest in program history. In league news, Meredith Cervenka was named the Big West Conference Pitcher of the Week.
UCLA Regional Information
Long Beach State will compete in its 15th NCAA Regional in school history. LBSU was an automatic NCAA qualifier after securing its fourth Big West Conference championship in program history on Friday (May 14). LBSU has made NCAA Regional Appearances in 2003, 2000, 1999, ‘98, ‘97, ‘96, ‘93, ‘92, ‘91, ‘90, ‘1989, ‘88, ‘87, and ‘86. The 49ers have compiled an overall record of 16-22 in 14 NCAA Regional Appearances, and have appeared in five NCAA College World Series (1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, and 1986).
Region No. 2 - May 20-23 at Los Angeles, Calif.
*No. 1 seed UCLA (39-9)
No. 2 seed Alabama (42-18)
No. 3 seed Long Beach State (48-11)
No. 4 seed Louisville (40-17)
No. 5 seed Missouri (27-24)
No. 6 seed Cornell (39-11)
No. 7 seed Central Michigan (32-17)
No. 8 seed Mississippi Valley (31-13)
Regional play will begin on Thursday morning at 9:00 am at Easton Stadium. Game times for Thursday's first day of competition are as follows:
(Game 1) 9 am - #3 Long Beach State vs. #6 Cornell
(Game 2) 11:30 am - #7 Central Michigan vs. #2 Alabama
(Game 3) 2 pm - #4 Louisville vs. #5 Missouri
(Game 4) 4:30 pm - #1 UCLA vs. #8 Mississippi Valley State
(Game 5) 7 pm- Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
ESPN will televise three games from the UCLA Regional. The first televised game is Game 7 at Noon PT on Friday, which will feature the winner of Game 1 (LBSU/Cornell) vs. the winner of Game 2 (Central Michigan/Alabama). Saturday's first game of the day, which is the winners bracket final (Game 11), and Sunday's first championship game (Game 14) will also be televised with Beth Mowins and Tammy Blackburn calling the action for all games.
Tickets will be available at the gate. A four-day All-Sessions ticket is $30 for adults and $20 for students. Single-day passes are $10 for adults and $6 for students.
Last Game Recap:
Long Beach State captured its fourth Big West Conference crown in school history, with a pair of come-from-behind victories over CS Northridge on May 14. All three victories by Long Beach State resulted in come-from-behind fashion. Down 4-1 to CSUN in G2 on May 14, LBSU scored two runs in the top of the third, one run in the top of the fourth, and a run in the top of the seventh for the 5-4 win and conference title. Senior Colleen Burdick hit two home runs in the contest. The 49er pitching staff combined for 22 strikeouts (12 courtesy of Meredith Cervenka) and a 1.67 ERA.
49ers in Two Top 25 Polls:
Long Beach State is ranked in the ESPN/USA Top 25 Poll as they check in at No. 19 this week. LBSU entered the poll for the first time this season at No. 25 when the ESPN/USA Softball Top 25 Poll was released on March 9. Long Beach remained at No. 18 in the NFCA Top 25 Poll as well.
LBSU Reaches 48, and Milestones:
Long Beach State reached its 48th victory of the season on Saturday, May 15, after a 3-2 win over CSUN...The 48-11 record is the best mark thru 59 games in school history...The 48 wins are the most wins in a regular season...The 11 losses are the fewest in school history...The .857 conference winning percentage is the highest in program history...LBSU has won 40 or more games seven times in school history...The 49ers also broke the previous school record of 11 straight wins set by the 1996 club, with a 12-game win streak from Mar. 13 to Mar. 30...The 49ers have also compiled two seven-game win streaks (Mar. 4 - Mar. 7) and Apr. 24 - May 7.
Blank Check:
The Long Beach State pitching staff has combined to throw 11 shutouts in league play since April 3 at UC Riverside.
Beach Bombers:
Long Beach State broke the previous school record (20) with 27 home runs on the season after Marcel Torres went deep vs. CS Northridge on May 15.
Marinating on The Big West:
Long Beach State pitchers, Marcel Torres (0.98 ERA), Meredith Cervenka (1.16 ERA), and Lindsey Knoff (1.21 ERA) rank 1-2-3 respectively in the conference in lowest ERA (as of May 17). LBSU ranks No. 1 in the league with an overall staff ERA of 1.11. All three have won Big West Pitcher of the Week honors this season.
Beach Patrol:
Long Beach State owns the No. 1 staff ERA in the Big West (1.11) and the No. 1 Fielding Percentage in the league as well (.976). Long Beach State ranks No. 10 in the Nation in ERA and No. 4 in Fielding Percentage as of May 17.
Queen of the K's:
2003 Big West Co-Pitcher of the Year Meredith Cervenka became Long Beach State's all-time strikeout leader (428) after registering six strikeouts in G1 vs. UCSB (May 7). She passed Stacy Van Essen, who tallied 408 strikeouts from 1991-1994. Cervenka tossed 33 consecutive scoreless innings from Mar. 17 to Apr. 3, and had 18.0 innings of no-hit softball from Mar. 20 to Mar. 30. She pitched her second consecutive no-hitter in a 1-0 victory over Dartmouth on Mar. 25. Cervenka also added a career-tying high 13 strikeouts in that contest. The 13 K's equaled the school record for most strikeouts thrown in a single game (Cervenka, 2003 and Diane Lewis, 1985). During her 26.0 consecutive scoreless innings since Mar. 13 thru Mar. 25, she was named the Big West Co-Pitcher of the Week (Mar. 25). It was her second Pitcher of the Week award this season. Meredith collected her third Big West Conference Pitcher of the Week on May 17 after she compiled 10.0 innings of work in the CS Northridge series (May 14-15), earning her 19th win of the season in G1, after allowing one run on five hits and nine strikeouts on May 14. Cervenka collected a save in G3 on May 15, registering three strikeouts in 3.0 innings of work. Cervenka pitched a three-hit shutout in G1 vs. UC Santa Barbara on May 7. Although Cervenka suffered the G1 loss to CS Fullerton on Apr. 24, she did record career strikeout No. 400. Despite losing a tough 1-0 loss to Cal Poly (Apr. 17), Cervenka went 17.0 innings and struck out 10 batters. She compiled a 2-0 record in the Utah State series (Apr. 9-10), in 10.0 innings of work. She pitched a four-hit shutout on Apr. 9, including five strikeouts vs. the Aggies. Cervenka went 3-0 from Mar. 30 thru Apr. 4 with a 0.35 ERA, allowing just one run on eight hits and 16 strikeouts in 20.0 innings of work. Cervenka became the fifth player in program history to pitch a perfect game in a 3-0 victory over Iowa on March 20 in the Capital Classic. It was the first perfect game since Ruby Flores pitched a perfect game in 1991. Cervenka was also named to the Capital Classic All-Tournament Team after posting a 2-0 record and a 0.00 ERA. In fact for the week of Mar. 17-21, she totaled 17 strikeouts and only gave up four hits, and no runs. For her efforts, Cervenka was named as the Big West Conference Pitcher of the Week (3/23). Cervenka went 2-0 in the Kipa Aloha Classic (Mar. 4-7) with a 0.64 ERA in 11.0 innings of work. Cervenka collected her second win at UC Santa Barbara allowing one run on two hits in LBSU's 8-1 victory. Cervenka pitched 7.0 shutout innings, allowing three hits and six strikeouts in a 4-0 win over Santa Clara on Feb. 6. She pitched her second shutout of the season versus Ohio on Feb. 20, and registered a then season-high nine strikeouts versus Iowa State on 2/21. Cervenka, in fact recorded her 300th career strikeout versus Santa Clara on 2/6. Her 19 wins have given her 54 for her career, sixth most in school history. She has recorded 143 strikeouts this season to move to No. 1 all-time at The Beach with 428 career strikeouts. Furthermore Cervenka's 143 strikeouts are the third most for a single season in school history. Cervenka has compiled a 19-5 record with a 1.16 ERA, allowing 29 runs on 98 hits and 143 strikeouts. She is No. 2 in the BWC in ERA, and No. 1 in wins.
Torres Shuts Down BWC:
Junior transfer Marcel Torres has been very productive in both the circle and at the plate this season for The Beach. For the fourth time this season, she was named the Big West Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week after pitching her second consecutive two-hit shutout with seven strikeouts vs. UOP on May 2. Torres was named as the Big West Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week (Apr. 26) after pitching a two-hit shutout vs. CSUF on Apr. 25 with five strikeouts. She also connected for a two-run HR on Apr. 24. vs. the Titans. Torres was named as the BWC Co-Pitcher of the Week for a second time after her dominating performance the Kipa Aloha Classic (Mar. 4-7). She pitched 19.0 innings, allowing just one run on nine hits and 20 strikeouts. Torres did not allow a double, triple, or home run versus her opponents. Torres produced a season-high nine strikeouts versus Charleston on 3/6. She was named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Pitcher. She also did damage at the plate in the Kipa Tournament, notching a two-run home run, her first of the season, versus Charleston on Mar. 6.Torres was named the Big West Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week (2/24) after tossing a shutout against the then No. 4-ranked Washington Huskies on Feb. 20 at the 14th Annual Campbell/Cartier Classic hosted by San Diego State. The junior went 7.0 innings, and allowed just four hits, and issued two walks with four strikeouts, in the 1-0 LBSU victory. Marcel got the save, including two strikeouts, in G2 vs. CS Northridge, which clinched the Big West title on May 14. She also batted .444 in the three-game series vs. the Matadors (4-for-9) with a HR and and RBI. Torres connected for her 3rd HR of the season in G3 in the fourth inning. Torres pitched a two-hit shutout in a 1-0 win over Cal Poly in game two of the double-header on Apr. 18. She went 4-for-8 from the plate in the Utah State series with a double, and made an appearance on Apr. 10 in the circle with 2.0 innings of work. Torres picked up her second victory of the season versus Santa Clara on Jan. 31 when she allowed one run on four hits and three strikeouts in seven innings. Torres pitched seven shutout innings in a 4-0 win over Santa Clara on Feb. 8. Torres shutdown No. 4-ranked Washington allowing just four hits in a 1-0 victory on Feb. 20. Torres has also been efficient at the plate, notching a .218 batting average with 34 hits (six doubles) and 19 RBI, and 11 runs scored. Torres knocked in two runs in the fifth inning at UC Santa Barbara on Jan. 31. Torres has accumulated a 14-3 record and a 0.98 ERA in 107.2 innings pitched, allowing just 15 earned runs and 92 strikeouts. She pitched 24 consecutive scoreless innings from Apr. 10 thru May 8. Her ERA is tops in the Big West Conference.
Knoff Cruisin':
Lindsey Knoff became the sixth player in school history to pitch a perfect game after a 4-0 win over Utah State on Apr. 9. Knoff's perfect game came less than a month after teammate Meredith Cervenka pitched a perfect game on Mar. 20. It was Knoff's second no-hitter of the season. For her efforts, Knoff was selected as the Big West Conference Pitcher of the Week (Apr. 12). Knoff won eight straight games from Mar. 5 thru Mar. 25. Knoff registered her 15th victory in G2 vs. CSUN on May 14. She tossed a two-hit shutout (her sixth of the season) with 4 K's in a 1-0 LBSU win in G2 vs. UCSB on May 7. Knoff posted win No. 13 after the LBSU 3-2 victory in G2 vs. Pacific on May 1. Knoff gave up two runs in five hits and fanned seven. She tallied her 12th victory of the season when she allowed one run on eight hits in a 4-1 victory in G2 vs. CS Fullerton on Apr. 24. Knoff collected her 11th victory of the season when she pitched a four-hit shutout in a 2-0 win over Cal Poly on Apr. 18. She gave up one run on three hits in a 9-1 LBSU win over Dartmouth on Mar. 25. She pitched her first career no-hitter in a 7-0 victory over Canisius on 3/17. In fact Knoff had a perfect game into the sixth inning of that contest. For the week, Mar. 17-21, Knoff compiled a 3-0 record and a 0.64 ERA. Knoff went 2-0 in the Fresno State Tournament (3/11-14), giving up just eight hits without allowing a run in 14.0 innings of work for 0.00 ERA. She returned from an ankle injury in the Kipa Aloha Classic (Mar. 4-7) and recorded her 300th career strikeout in a 4-1 win over College of Charleston on 3/5. Knoff went 7.0 innings and allowed just one run on four hits and six strikeouts in her return to the circle. Her 353 career strikeouts are No. 4 all-time at The Beach. Knoff moved to No. 4 all-time in innings pitched this season (127.1) with 666.6 career innings pitched. Knoff has compiled a 15-3 mark this season with a 1.21 ERA in 127.1 innings. Her 55 career wins are fifth most at The Beach. She ranks No. 3 in the Big West in ERA.
Thorp Does the Yard Work:
Arleigh Thorp is closing in on the career home run record at Long Beach State (16) set by Jessica Smith (1999-02). Thorp has 15 career home runs. She is already the school record holder in career-doubles with 46. Thorp has connected for 12 doubles this season, to go along with a .286 batting average, with 34 runs scored, and 31 RBI. Her 14 stolen bases are tied for second most in a single season in program history. She went 2-for-6 in the CSUN series (May 14-15), including a sacrifice fly to left field in G1 which scored Tiffanie Wedell to tie the score at 1-1 in the sixth inning. Thorp went 2-for-6 in the UCSB Gaucho series (May 7-8) with a double and a run scored. She connected for her fifth HR of the season with a solo shot in G2 vs. CSUF on Apr. 24. She also totaled two stolen bases for the series. Thorp had a monster series vs. Utah State (Apr. 9-10), belting a .714 batting average an compiling five runs, three doubles, and four RBI. Thorp went 3-for-3 with two doubles, three runs and three RBI in the 16-0 victory over USU on Apr. 10. She went 3-for-3 with an RBI double in the 4th inning in game 2 at Riverside on Apr. 3. Thorp compiled a .435 batting average from Mar. 17-21, compiling 10 hits and 10 RBI. She hit a grand slam versus Tennessee State. In fact her five RBI vs. TSU were tied for the third most in a single game in school history. For her efforts, Thorp was named as the Big West Conference Player of the Week (3/23). Thorp belted out seven hits in 18 at bats for a .389 batting average in the Kipa Aloha Classic (Mar. 4-7). She helped LBSU rally from a 1-0 deficit in the championship game versus Hawai'i with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning on March 7. She also scored five runs and drove in four in the tournament as well. Thorp hit a two-run home run, her first of the season in the Campbell/Cartier Classic versus Iowa State in the first inning to propel the 49ers to a 6-2 victory. Thorp moved to No. 3 all-time at The Beach this season with 89 career RBI's.
Six is Good:
Jamie Farnworth landed her second Big West Offensive Player of the Week award for the period ending March 7. Farnworth was given the honor after her performance in the Kipa Aloha Tournament, Mar. 4-7. Farnworth was also selected as the Big West Conference Offensive Player of the Week, for the period ending Feb. 12. Farnworth (Upland, Calif.) has helped Long Beach State to a 48-11 mark this season, after posting a team-best .345 batting average (No. 7 in the Big West), with 25 runs, five home runs, and 32 RBI. Farnworth connected for her first career home run on opening day in a 5-1 win over Oregon State on January 30 at the UCSB Early Bird Invite in Santa Barbara. She followed that performance up the same day with a game-winning three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning versus Illinois-Chicago, to give Long Beach State a 5-4 victory over the Flames. Despite falling to the top-ranked Bruins at the Long Beach State Invitational on 2/7, Farnworth went 2-for-3 with a double off Bruin All-American pitcher Keira Goerl. She garnered the Most Outstanding Player honor in the Kipa Aloha Classic (March 4-7) after batting .556 with 10 hits, seven runs, seven RBI, and a home run. She went 2-for-2 with five RBI and two runs vs. Siena (3/4). Farnworth hit .263 and scored three runs in the tournament in Fresno (3/11-14). Farnworth has also compiled a .518 slugging percentage and a .453 on base percentage this season. She batted .409 at the Capital Classic (Mar. 19-21), pounding out nine hits (2 doubles), two RBI and two runs. She went 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI in the double-header vs. Dartmouth (Mar. 25). Jamie connected for a .400 batting average in the Utah State series (Apr. 9-10), compiling four RBI. She went 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBI vs. USU on Apr. 10. Jamie connected for a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning, which proved to be enough in a 2-0 win over Cal Poly in game one of a double-header on Apr. 18. She went 5-for-10 in the Fullerton series (Apr. 24-25) with a pair of RBI. She hit the game-winning RBI double in the bottom of the sixth inning in G2 to plate Colleen Burdick in a 1-0 LBSU win over UCSB (May 7). She also connected for her first triple of the season in G1 vs. UCSB on May 7. farnworth Hit the game-winning RBI in G2 vs. CSUN in the top of the seventh inning to help LBSU clinch the Big West title (5/14). Farnworth was a Big West All-Conference honorable mention last season, and will play for the Greek Olympic team in this year's Summer Olympics in Athens.
LJ OK:
Lauren Johnson posted her best season in a 49er uniform last season, and showed no signs of slowing down in 2004. Johnson scored three runs in the CSUN series (May 14-15), including the game-winning run in G2 on May 14, which helped clinch the conference crown. Her three runs over the weekend have given her 38 for the season (No. 2 Big West) -- a new school single season record for runs scored. After sac bunt in the CSUN series, Johnson has totaled 22 sacrifice bunts for the season (No. 1 Big West) -- a new school single season record as well. She connected for her fifth HR of the season when she hit a three-run blast in the bottom of the sixth inning in G1 vs. UCSB to lift LBSU to a 5-0 win on May 7. For the series, Johnson went 3-for-7 (.429) with a HR and a double, two runs scored. LJ went 2-for-3 with two runs scored in the 3-0 victory in G3 at CS Fullerton (Apr. 25). Johnson went 1-for-2 with two runs scored vs. Utah State on Apr. 10. LJ went 7-for-16 from Mar. 30 thru Apr. 4, with two triples, one home run, three RBI, and five runs scored. Johnson connected for her fourth HR of the season in her first at-bat in game one vs. UCR on 4/3. She went 2-for-3 with three runs and an RBI in game two. Her RBI triple in the fifth inning vs. UCR in game 3 (4/4) helped LBSU unlock a scoreless tie with three runs in the inning. Johnson scored seven runs and drove in four from Mar. 17-21. In fact Johnson was the hero in LBSU's 5-4 win over Wisconsin (3/19) after she hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to end the game. Johnson scored seven runs and drove in four, and hit one home run in the Kipa Aloha Classic (Mar. 4-7). Johnson hit a two-run home run in the championship game versus Hawai'i (3/7) to break a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the sixth inning. She went 1-for-3 with two runs and two RBI vs. Siena on Mar. 4. She generated both runs in the pair of 1-0 victories on Feb. 20 versus No. 4-ranked Washington and Ohio. LJ went 3-for-3 with a .429 batting average in the Campbell/Cartier Classic in San Diego (2/20-21) with three runs, a double, and an RBI. She connected for her seventh RBI of the season in the fifth inning versus Iowa State on 2/21. Johnson went 6-for-15 in the UCSB Early Bird Tournament with three runs and four RBI, and one home run. Johnson has also added two stolen bases to her totals this season as well. Johnson went 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI in the 49ers come-from-behind victory versus Illinois-Chicago on Jan. 30. Johnson hit a three-run home run in the top of the seventh inning versus Oregon State to give Long Beach State a 5-1 lead and eventual win. Johnson went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI in LBSU's 4-1 win over San Diego State on Feb. 7. Johnson is batting .284 with 38 runs, 22 RBI, 48 hits, and five stolen bases this season. Her 10 career HR's are No. 3 all-time in school history.
I Got the Magic Stick:
Melanie McCauley opened up the conference schedule with a bang, compiling a .625 batting average at UC Riverside (Apr. 3-4), with five hits (2 HR, one double) and four RBI. She belted the two HR's in game one on Apr. 3. Her first career home run in the bottom of the second inning was a two-run shot, and she hit a two-run blast in the bottom of the 4th inning. She notched an RBI in the seven-run inning vs. Utah State on Apr. 10. She is batting .244 on the season with 18 RBI. McCauley scored the game-winning run in G1 vs. Pacific after Melissa Backstrom hit a single in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat Pacific, 4-3. Mel hit .500 (3-for-6) in the UCSB series with a double. McCauley has compiled a .246 batting average with 19 RBI, 11 runs, and seven doubles.
If You Smell What the Rock is Cookin':
Catcher, Roxanne Staniorski was named to the all-tournament team at the Clovis Auto Row Softball Classic in Fresno (Mar. 11-14). Roxanne went 6-for-18 (.333 batting average) with one run, a double and an RBI. She hit a two-out RBI single in the 4th inning to score Jamie Farnworth in a 1-0 win over North Texas (3/13). She scored the first run in game two in the bottom of the 5th inning vs. Utah State (4/9). Roxanne helped spark an LBSU comeback with an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning in G2 vs. Pacific (May 1). For the season, Staniorski has a .213 batting average, and has collected five doubles and 14 RBI as well.
Good Hands with Gervasi in Right Field:
Freshman Kourtnee Gervasi tallied two RBI in the UCSB series, and went 2-for-3 in G1 on May 7 with an RBI in the 5th inning in the 5-0 win. She was another key figure in the game two come-from-behind victory over Pacific on May 1. Gervasi led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a single, and eventually scored after a Roxanne Staniorski single to tie the game at 2-2. Gervasi had a solid series vs. Utah State (Apr. 9-10), compiling a .600 batting average (3-for-5) with three run scored, and an RBI. She went 2-for-2 with two runs and an RBI in game three vs. Utah State (4/10). She notched an RBI single in the bottom of the 8th inning to help give LBSU a 1-0 victory over Dartmouth on Mar. 25. She helped LBSU grind out a 2-1 win over Sacramento State on Mar. 21 at the plate and in the field. She connected for her first career home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to tie the score a 1-1. Then in the top of the eighth inning, she prevented a possible go-ahead run and threw out Sac. St. player, Amy Walter from right field to first base with two outs to preserve the 1-1 score heading into the bottom of the inning. Gervasi went 3-for-9 (.333) with two runs scored in the Campbell/Cartier Classic in San Diego (Feb. 20-21). Gervasi has patrolled the right field with a .980 fielding percentage (43 put outs, 5 assists). Gervasi also has compiled a .230 batting average with 17 runs, 29 hits (two doubles), and nine RBI.
Burdick and Wedell Secure the Right Side:
Senior Colleen Burdick has been steady at first base all season with 442 put outs and 23 assists (1 error) for a .998 fielding percentage. She became the eighth player in school history to hit two HR in one game when she connected for home runs five and six on the season in G2 vs. CSUN on May 14. Burdick scored the game-winning run in G2 vs. UCSB on May 7. She was named as the Big West Conference Player of the Week after batting .545 (6-for-15) in the three-game series vs. UOP (May 1-2). Burdick hit a solo home run, her fourth of the season, on Sunday (5/2) in the bottom of the fifth inning to lift LBSU to a 1-0 victory over the Tigers. Burdick also went 2-for-4 on Saturday in G2 with two RBI, including the game-winning RBI, in the 3-2 LBSU win. At the lead-off slot, Burdick has compiled a .278 batting average, with 52 hits (10 doubles, two triples), 29 runs, and 29 RBI. Burdick's RBI single in the fifth inning in game two of the DH proved to be the game winner, plating Cassie Preece in the 1-0 victory over Cal Poly on Apr. 18. She kept her hot bat in the second conference series of the season, notching five RBI an a .400 batting average vs. USU (Apr. 9-10). She went 3-for-3 with four RBI and two runs vs. the Aggies on 4/10. She connected for a double that plated two runners in the first inning, and another two-run RBI double in the second inning on Apr. 10. Burdick hit .455 to open the conference schedule, notching five hits and five RBI. Burdick batted .286 with two home runs in the Kipa Aloha Classic (Mar. 4-7) in Honolulu. She went 3-for-6 with three runs in the double-header vs. Dartmouth (Mar. 25). Meanwhile, Tiffanie Wedell has accumulated a .975 fielding percentage (137 PO and 93 assists) at second base this season. Wedell is batting .209 this season with 22 runs scored. Wedell batted .500 in the CSUN series (May 14-15), connecting for a pair of doubles, one RBI and a run scored. She went 2-for-3 in G1 vs. the Matadors, scoring the game-tying run in the top of the sixth inning, and hitting the game-winning RBI double, which plated Cassie Preece, for the 2-1 LBSU win in the top of the seventh inning (5/14). Tiffanie went 4-for-8 with two stolen bases and a 1.000 fielding percentage in the Cal Poly series (Apr. 17-18).
Fast Starts:
Long Beach State has out-scored its opposition, 42-13 in the first inning this season. In fact LBSU generated 12 runs in the first inning alone versus Siena in the Kipa Aloha Classic on March 4. It was the second most runs scored in an inning in program history. LBSU has also generated the bulk of its runs in the 2nd (27), 4th (42), 5th (37), and 7th innings (22). LBSU has outscored its opposition 7-4 in extra innings.
49ers Picked 1st:
Long Beach State was selected to capture the 2004 conference crown, according to the Big West Coaches poll released in January. The 49ers accomplished that prediction after capturing the championship on May 14 vs. CS Northridge in the 5-4 victory in G2.
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