Alabama Ends Post-Season Run
49ers Post Best Record in School History at 51-13
May 22, 2004 Los Angeles, CA – The No. 17-ranked Long Beach State softball team fell to the Alabama Crimson Tide, 7-6, in the 2004 NCAA Softball Regional at Easton Stadium on Saturday night. With the loss, LBSU was eliminated from post-season play.
Long Beach State did however win earlier in the day, eliminating Mississippi Valley State from the tournament, 5-0.
The 49ers end one of their best seasons in school history at 51-13. The 51 wins were the most in program history, and the 13 losses were the fewest in school history as well.
Long Beach State jumped on Alabama quickly in the first inning with four runs, including a leadoff home run from Colleen Burdick on the first pitch of the game. LBSU kept the offense going in the inning after a Marcel Torres double down the left field line plated Arleigh Thorp, who reached base on a fielder's choice. Roxanne Staniorski then connected for a single to right field to score Jamie Farnworth to boost the 49er lead to 3-0. After an Alabama pitching change, Melanie McCauley placed a sacrifice bunt, which resulted in a fielding error by the Alabama pitcher and allowed Torres to score.
The Crimson Tide however responded in the bottom of the inning with a run, to cut the LBSU lead to 4-1. Three more Alabama runs in the bottom of the second inning would tie the contest, and three more runs in the bottom of the third inning gave Alabama a 7-4 lead.
The 49ers battled back after Marcel Torres notched a two-run home run in the top of the fifth inning, scoring Thorp, who led off the inning with a single, to cut the lead to 7-6. That was as close as the 49ers got the rest of the way. Long Beach State threatened once more, however in the sixth inning, but left two on base.
LBSU eliminated Mississippi Valley State from post-season play earlier in the day, behind Meredith Cervenka, who pitched her third no-hitter of the season, fanning 11 MVSU batters in the contest, and only walking two.
The 49ers broke the scoreless tie in the top of the seventh inning with a five run, two out rally. Colleen Burdick reached base to start the inning, after shortstop Tamara Phillips bobbled the ball, which was followed by a walk to Lauren Johnson. Then with two outs, Marcel Torres connected for a double to left field to score Johnson for the 1-0 lead.
Another MVSU fielding error ensued to allow Roxanne Staniorski to reach base and score two more 49er runs for a 3-0 lead. A Melanie McCauley single up the middle plated Staniorski for the 4-0 lead. The third Devilette fielding error scored the fifth LBSU run.
Cervenka finished off Mississippi Valley State with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout to end the game.
Box Score (G1)
Box Score (G2) |
