Long Beach State University
Utah
No. 25 Beach Wins Third Straight Against Utah
3/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 15, 2008
San Diego, Calif. - Shortstop Jessica Beaver had three hits including a two-run triple to spark a seven-run third inning as No. 25 Long Beach State defeated Utah 9-1 for their third win in the San Diego Classic. Bridgette Pagano picked up her seventh win of the season, allowing just three hits in seven innings.
Long Beach State (17-8) picked up the lead early, pushing a run across in the second inning. Brooke LeSage made her way to first on a bunt single, and after a Danielle Linke walk, Ashley Levine drove in her fourth run on the season on a single.
Utah (14-12) evened the score in the bottom half of the inning, as Pagano gave up her only walk of the game to Angie Boardman, and paid for it as Kara Foster doubled to tie up the game. With the go-ahead run at third following the throw home, Pagano buckled down and retired the next three batters to keep the score 1-1.
The 49er bats rewarded her for her work with a huge inning in the top of the third. Jonae Perez led off the inning with a walk, one of five straight batters to reach base to kick off the inning. Lacy Tyler followed with a single, and Jennifer Griffin walked to load the bases for LeSage, who hit a two-run double to put the 49ers ahead on her second hit of the game. Linke reached base after being hit by Ashely Smuda, and Levine drove in her second run of the game with a sacrifice fly. Whitney Radcliff and Ashley Weber both reached for the 49ers to load the bases with two outs, and Beaver continued the rally with her triple to right-center. Scoring on a wild pitch, Beaver represented the final run of the inning as Perez grounded out to first to end the inning after the 49ers batted around.
With an 8-1 lead, the 49ers had to wait until the final inning to add their last run, missing a chance at a run-rule victory. However, the Beach got solid pitching from Pagano, who earned her fourth-straight win while allowing just the one run and striking out three.
The 49ers play their first ranked opponent of the tournament this evening, as Long Beach State takes on the host San Diego State Aztecs at 4:30 p.m. The Aztecs come into the game just a couple spots ahead of the 49ers ranked no. 23 in the country.
