49ers Open 2006 in Vegas
LBSU Plays in Seven-Team Tournament
February 8, 2006 PDF VERSION of this RELEASE
2006 ROSTER
2006 SCHEDULE Quickly:
Long Beach State kicks off its 2006 season at the UNLV Alexis Resort Kick-Off Classic, Feb. 9-12 in Las Vegas. The 49ers join host UNLV, Illinois-Chicago, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Southern Utah, and Washington in the seven-team tournament.
Note on the Classic:
All LBSU games can be followed on GameTracker provided by UNLV Athletics
www.unlvrebels.collegesports.com
Tournament Schedule
Feb. 9
Southern Utah at UNLV 5 pm
Southern Utah at UNLV 7 pm
Feb. 10
Kentucky vs. Washington 9 am
Oklahoma vs. Washington 11:15 am
Oklahoma vs. Kentucky 1:30 pm
Illinois-Chicago vs. UNLV 3:45 pm
Illinois-Chicago vs. Long Beach State 6 pm
Southern Utah vs. Long Beach State 8:15 pm
Feb. 11
Kentucky vs. Illinois-Chicago 9 am
Washington vs. Illinois-Chicago 11:15 am
Washington vs. Long Beach State 1:30 pm
Kentucky vs. Long Beach State 3:45 pm
UNLV vs. Oklahoma 6 pm
Southern Utah vs. Oklahoma 8:15 pm
Feb. 12
Kentucky vs. UNLV 9 am
Oklahoma vs. Long Beach State 10 am
Illinois-Chicago vs. Southern Utah 11 am
Washington vs. UNLV 1 pm What to Know in ‘06
• Long Beach State will try and win its third consecutive Big West Title (6th overall) in program history
• The 49ers were picked second, behind CS Fullerton in the annual Big West Pre-Season Coaches Poll, released in January
• Long Beach State lost three first-team all-conference performers last year (Meredith Cervenka, Lauren Johnson, Marcel Torres). Cervenka was a three-time BWC Co-Pitcher of the Year, while Torres was a two-time BWC Co-Pitcher of the Year
• Keep an eye on: Jonae Perez, Jessica Beaver, and Tiffanie Wedell. Perez was the 2005 Big West Freshman Field Player of the Year. Beaver had an outstanding Fall season and should be in the starting line-up. Wedell has been the staple at second base for the 49ers. She was a 2005 Big West Honorable Mention
• LBSU has won every season opener since 2003
• The 49ers play five opponents ranked in the Top-15 (UCLA, Arizona, Oklahoma, Washington, and Northwestern) this season
2006 Season Preview:
To say that the Long Beach State softball team has been on an incredible run over the past three seasons would be an understatement. Since 2003 the 49ers have won 120 games, advanced to three NCAA Regionals, captured two conference titles, produced five-conference pitcher of the year selections, two-conference coach of the year honors, six all-region selections, and 16 all-conference performers.
Under the direction of 23rd year head coach Pete Manarino, Long Beach State has continually met the high expectations set at the beginning of the year. This season Manarino has the challenge of continuing the program's excellence with a squad that features just two seniors. However, Manarino remains optimistic about this year's team: "I have a real good feeling about the things we accomplished in the off-season. We are looking forward to defending our conference title." Manarino furthered his enthusiasm by saying, "I like the make-up of this team. There is a nice balance and we will be able to do a lot of things and still be a strong defensive team and manufacture runs."
The two staples of Long Beach State softball have always been pitching and defense. Even though the 49ers lost its two top pitchers in Meredith Cervenka and Marcel Torres, Manarino will look to sophomore Jennifer Martinez to anchor the pitching staff. "She (Martinez) had an outstanding fall season," explained Manarino. Last season Martinez went 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 10 appearances. Manarino plans on utilizing Lacy Tyler in the circle as well. Tyler compiled a 1.05 ERA in two appearances last season. Two new faces join the pitching staff in '06 -- Michelle Turner and Melissa DeMarco. Turner, a junior transfer from UCLA pitched a no-hitter at Arizona State in 2003, while DeMarco, a walk-on from Patrick Henry HS will help provide depth.
The senior leadership will be in the infield in 2006. Second baseman, Tiffanie Wedell, who was a Big West honorable mention last season, is coming off her best season, offensively. Wedell hit .290 and scored 23 runs. "She's been great defensively her whole career," noted Manarino. "We need her to build off her offensive success last season." Senior third baseman Melanie McCauley has put up solid defensive numbers over the past two seasons, but Manarino will look for McCauley to be more of a threat offensively in 2006. McCauley had 25 RBI, scored 17 runs, and had nine doubles last season. Panita Thanatharn could see action at third base as well.
One position that has Manarino excited in 2006 is at shortstop. Sophomore Jessica Beaver is expected to anchor the middle of the infield after what Manarino described as a productive fall season. "Jessica had an outstanding fall. She vastly improved her skills and hit the ball very well." Beaver posted a .226 batting average last season with eight doubles, two home runs, and 20 runs scored.
Jonae Perez will play both first base and in the outfield. Perez last season was selected as the Big West Freshman Field Player of the Year after hitting .363 with 15 runs and 12 RBI in just 38 games. "Jonae came on very strong for us last season," noted Manarino. "She is a very smart defensive minded player as well." Manarino may also platoon both Michelle Turner and Lacy Tyler at first base this season.
Behind the plate for the second straight season will be Brooke LeSage. "Brooke handled our pitchers very well last season," explained Manarino. "We need for her to continue to elevate her game offensively." LeSage hit .257 with 13 RBI and 22 runs in her freshman campaign. Lindsay Russo also joins The Beach in '06. Russo is a junior transfer from Cypress CC. Manarino feels that the addition of Russo was very important for the 49ers both offensively and defensively.
Manarino will do some juggling in the outfield this season. Kourtnee Gervasi will see time at left field, while Brianna Goad will see time in center field. Manarino will also mix in Franciska Morlet in the outfield. "Franciska had the best fall out of anybody on the team," raved Manarino. "She was the most improved player in the field."
"Brianna is a very quick athlete, and she will definitely get a lot of playing time."
Other newcomers include Stefanie Trutanic and Ashley Weber. Both will be used in utility and outfield roles this season.
What Manarino likes most about this year's team is its athleticism and speed. With that important combination, Manarino expects to take more chances, which will lead to manufacturing more runs.
And as always Manarino has put together a tough non-conference schedule together that features UCLA, Arizona, Washington, Oklahoma, and Northwestern. "It's another tough schedule as usual," claimed Manarino. "We are going to get tested early and see what we are made of. We hope that we can grow together as a team. This is a very young team and we want to challenge them early. We want to develop these players the right way. We expect excellence on the field. We just need to work hard and that will ultimately lead to this team's success.
Long Beach State will aim for its third straight conference title and fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance when the season kicks off Feb. 11 at the UNLV Classic. Despite having a very young team, Long Beach State has proven over the past two seasons that they are the team to beat in the Big West, and it will be a battle to the end of every game.
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