Long Beach State University
Stanford
49ers Come Short Again Against No. 17 Stanford
2/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 10, 2008
San Diego, Calif. - Facing another pitcher's duel with No. 17 Stanford, the 49ers ended up on the wrong end of the tally once again in a 1-0 loss Saturday. This time the victim was Brooke Turner, taking the loss in the bottom of the seventh despite striking out six.
Missy Penna again put together a strong performance for the Cardinal, allowing three hits and striking out seven over seven innings, but was matched by Brooke Turner, who only gave up four hits and struck out six over the course of the game.
Stanford was able to get the first two batters on in the first with a single and a walk, but Turner calmed down and struck out Stanford's 3-4 hitters to set up an inning-ending flyout to right field.
Penna was perfect through five, but the 49er bats came alive in the sixth to give the Beach a chance to break the 0-0 deadlock. With one out, Brooke LeSage singled to right field to start a rally, and Franciscka Morlet hit a second single to center to put two runners on. A grounder from Whitney Radcliff advanced both runners, but the inning and the opportunity ended when Penna was able to set down Lacy Tyler on strikes.
The 49ers had another chance in the seventh, as Jessica Beaver led off the inning with a double, and was quickly pushed to third after a sacrifice from Jennifer Griffin. Penna was able to get a second out from a Danielle Linke with a strikeout, and ended the inning with a popup from Ashley Weber.
In the bottom half of the seventh, Stanford finally reached Brooke Turner. Melisa Koutz started off the inning with a double down the left-field line, and designated hitter Erin Howe ended the game with a walk-off double.
Long Beach State (2-2) continues tournament play next weekend, traveling to Hawai'i for a four-day tournament. The team then returns to Long Beach to host three midweek games. On Tuesday, February 26, the team will play St. John's in a doubleheader at 1 p.m. before hosting Florida at 2 p.m. on the 27th.
