Long Beach State University
UCF
Beaver Sparks Long Beach State Comeback
2/21/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 16, 2008
HONOLULU, Hawai'i - Down 1-0 in another pitcher's duel with Central Florida, Jessica Beaver hit a two-run single to give the 49ers a lead they would not relinquish in a 4-2 win over the Knights on Saturday. The 49ers will play the winner of Kentucky and Hawai'i in the day's final game.
In addition to driving in the tying and go-ahead runs, Beaver had two other hits and scored a run to lead the 49ers offensively. Lacy Tyler also added two hits for Long Beach State.
In a manner similar to the first time the teams met, both teams moved through the early innings in scoreless fashion, as Brooke Turner was on top of her game, striking out twelve, and the 49ers were unable to get any runs across in their first six innings.
Central Florida was able to finally take a lead, moving ahead 1-0 after a solo home run from Breanne Javier. Long Beach State answered in a big way in their last ups, however, mounting a comeback in the top half of the seventh.
With one out, a Bridgette Pagano single started the rally, and consecutive singles from Danielle Linke and Brianna Goad loaded the bases for Beaver. The 49ers then finally got the big hit that they'd had trouble getting this weekend, as Beaver singled to left center to score Linke and Franciscka Morlet, running for Pagano. The 49ers brought an insurance run home with a wild pitch, and the Beaver came around to score on a Tyler single, the fifth of the inning for Long Beach State.
Central Florida added one run in the bottom of the seventh, but did not present a major threat to come back in the seventh. Turner picked up her third win of the year, striking out twelve on the night.
