49ers Avoid Elimination
LBSU Tops Central Michigan, 3-2 in 9 Innings; Sets School Record for Wins
May 20, 2004 LOS ANGELES, CA -- Melanie McCauley's two out RBI single in the top of the ninth inning lifted the Long Beach State 49ers to a 3-2 win over Central Michigan in the 2004 NCAA Softball Regional at Easton Stadium on Thursday night. With the victory, the 49ers avoid post-season elimination, and set the school record for most wins in a season with 49.
LBSU (49-12) jumped on the board in the top of the first inning courtesy of an Arleigh Thorp double that plated Colleen Burdick, who led off the inning with a walk.
The score would remain 1-0 until the bottom of the sixth inning when CMU tied the score after a Lindsey Calme RBI single scored Brittany Fulks. Long Beach State responded with another run in the top of the seventh inning with a two out rally with three straight singles from Jamie Farnworth, Marcel Torres, and Roxanne Staniorski, who plated Farnworth to put The Beach up 2-1. CMU countered once more in the bottom of the inning after Karen Hohs singled to score Christan Dhondt and tie the score at 2-2.
After a scoreless eighth inning, Farnworth led the ninth inning off with a single to center field. Torres then reached on an error by the third baseman. Staniorski however, grounded out into a double play, but advanced Farnworth to third base. McCauley then delivered the two out RBI single to score Farnworth.
Lindsey Knoff collected the win in dramatic fashion after recording a strikeout with the bases loaded and one out, then got Brittany Decker to ground out to McCauley to end the game.
Farnworth went 3-for-5 with two runs, while Thorp, Staniorski, and McCauley all had an RBI. Knoff improved to 16-3 with the win after 2.0 innings of work and three strikeouts. Torres was the LBSU starting pitcher, allowing two runs on seven hits and seven strikeouts.
Long Beach State faces the loser of UCLA/Louisville on Friday at 5:00 p.m. Box Score (G1) / Cornell
Box Score (G2) |
