Long Beach State University
St. John's
49ers Split Doubleheader With St. John's
2/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 26, 2008
Long Beach, Calif. - The 49ers picked up a split in their first two home games this season, defeating St. John's 5-3 in the first contest of the day but dropping a 1-0 pitcher's duel in the second. Danielle Linke was the star of the 49ers in game one, hitting two doubles and knocking in three runs.
With four combined errors in game one, both teams were able to put runs across without the benefit of the required hits. The 49ers got on the board first in the opening inning. Lacy Tyler's two-out single got the action started, and after a Jennifer Griffin walk, Brooke LeSage's hit got behind Alyson Funn, scoring Tyler on the error.
The 49ers returned the favor in the third inning however. After a leadoff single by Danielle Estrada, the Red Storm got an extra runner following a fielder's choice and an error. Those two runners would both then come around to score following a second error in the inning and a wild pitch, giving St. John's the lead with just one hit.
The Beach added a run in the bottom half of the inning, and finally took the lead in the fifth, as the 49ers took advantage of another Red Storm error to start the inning with a runner. With a sacrifice to advance Brianna Goad, the 49ers then got a walk from Jennifer Griffin to put two runners on. For the first time of the day, though, the 49ers got big hits, as a single from LeSage brought in Goad, and Linke's second double of the day put the 49ers ahead 5-2.
St. John's would add one run in the top of the sixth, but was unable to close the gap as Bridgette Pagano picked up her third win of the season.
One run would have been enough in the second game, as two freshman squared off in the circle. Brooke Turner pitched very well for Long Beach State, picking up nine strikeouts and allowing just three hits on the day, but ended up taking the 1-0 loss.
A lack of production in their chances was the difference in game two. Leaving 11 runners on base in game two, the 49ers were able to put runners in scoring position but couldn't put them across, and St. John's took advantage of really their only chance, hitting two consecutive doubles in the fourth to get the win.
Long Beach State hosts one more game at home this week before traveling to Las Vegas for a tournament this weekend. The 49ers will take on No. 5 Florida tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the 49er Softball Complex.
