Long Beach State University
UCF
49ers Lose To Central Florida In Extra Innings
2/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 15, 2008
HONOLULU, Hawai'i - Long Beach State took leads in both the ninth and tenth innings after eight scoreless frames, but Central Florida first tied the game and then finished it 5-3. Brooke LeSage had three hits for the 49ers, including a two-run single to put Long Beach State ahead in the 10th inning.
Brooke LeSage's 10th inning single with the bases loaded broke open a 1-1 game for Long Beach State, but Central Florida answered in the bottom half as the designated home team. A leadoff single scored the placed runner, but Pagano recorded two outs around another single for Central Florida. However, with two runners in scoring position, the Knights ended the game with a three-run home run by Tiffany Lane.
Along with LeSage, the Knights also wanted no part of Jennifer Griffin, as the junior was issued a free pass twice after an third inning hit on the way to three walks on the night.
Bridgette Pagano was dominant early in a game which both pitchers were in control. Pagano went through the order once with no trouble, and allowed just three hits in seven innings. Offensively, the 49ers had a number of chances against the Knights, but were unable to put any runs across against Central Florida pitcher Allison Kime.
The 49ers opportunities came early and often, as Long Beach State loaded the bases in the first two innings, and had runners in scoring position in each of the first four innings. However, the 49ers were unable to get the big hit they needed in regulation.
Putting together one more chance, LeSage started out the sixth with a bunt single, and after being pushed over by Jonae Perez a single from Franciscka Morlet put runners on the corners with one out. Whitney Radcliff's grounder went straight to third base however, keeping LeSage on third while getting a second out, and a strikeout by Kime ended the inning.
Neither team was able to score in the eighth, but Long Beach State finally broke the deadlock in the ninth. With Whitney Radcliff placed on second, the senior moved to third following a balk by Kime, and scored on a ground ball from Lacy Tyler. Getting a last chance in the bottom of the ninth, Central Florida pushed their first run across as well to set up Lane's heroics.
The 49ers have three more days on the islands, continuing play tomorrow at the Paradise Classic in Honolulu with two games, playing Kentucky before taking on the host Rainbow Wahine in the evening.
