Long Beach State University
NM State
No. 25 Beach Swings Past NMSU
3/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 14, 2008
San Diego, Calif. - Danielle Linke's three-run triple in the fifth inning put away what had been a close matchup with New Mexico State in the final game of the day for Long Beach State in San Diego. Bridgette Pagano struck out a season-high five batters in the 5-2 win over the Aggies.
Two singles from Jonae Perez and Lacy Tyler started off the action for Long Beach State, as the 49ers wasted no time getting on the board. With two runners on, Jennifer Griffin walked to load the bases, and a Brooke LeSage sacrifice fly scored the first run for the 49ers. A passed ball by catcher Brittany Clifton allowed Tyler to score, and the Beach ended the first inning with a 2-0 lead.
New Mexico State pushed a run across in the second against Pagano. Giving up the first of two walks on the day, the Aggies capitalized with a RBI single from Angie Ortega. Pagano ended the inning with a popup however, keeping the lead for Long Beach State.
Both teams remained without additional runs throughout the middle of the game, as Pagano set a season-high in strikeouts with five, while Aggie starter Kim Watson kept things close with the one-run deficit.
Long Beach State finally broke the game open in the bottom of the sixth after surviving a NMSU rally in the fifth. A leadoff walk to Tyler got things started for Long Beach State, and then back-to-back singles from Griffin and LeSage loaded the bases for Linke. After tripling in the first game, Linke again came up with heroics, sending one into the gap in right center, scoring all three runners and putting Long Beach State ahead 5-1.
New Mexico State added one run in the top of the seventh, but Pagano held on to grab her sixth win of the season as the Beach improves to 17-8 on the year. No. 25 Long Beach State continues play in San Diego tomorrow, taking on Utah and No. 23 San Diego State. The 49ers' first pitch tomorrow is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. against Utah.
