Long Beach State University
CSUN
Beaver's Big Day Stops Cal State Northridge
4/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 6, 2008
Northridge, Calif. - Opening the game with a leadoff home run, Jessica Beaver had a huge game, finishing 4-for-4 and a triple short of the cycle as the 49ers defeated Cal State Northridge 1-0 to improve to 29-10 on the season. Brooke Turner went the distance for her 13th shutout of the year.
Beaver's return to the plate in the first inning was a mistake that Cal State Northridge came to regret. After being awarded first base after being hit, the 49ers shortstop was called back for not attempting to avoid the pitch. After one additional foul ball, Beaver did the opposite of avoiding the pitch, crushing a Mercedes Lovato offering over the left field wall to put Long Beach State in front 1-0 after the first batter of the game.
Long Beach State had a number of chances to break the game open for more runs, leaving nine runners on and getting a batter to third in four innings, but was unable to come up with the clutch hit after the beginning of the game.
Beaver was the main exception, providing four hits and finishing just a triple short of the cycle, including a single that was very nearly her second home run on the day, hitting inches under the line in dead center just over the 220 mark at Matador Diamond. Brooke LeSage also had a double for the Beach.
The 49ers were able to pull through for their fifth conference win, however, on the strength of their pitching and defense. Turner struck out seven batters while allowing just four hits, and took advantage of some stellar defense from her teammates. In the third inning, Amanda Pitzenberger reached to start the inning after getting hit on the elbow, and Jackie Duree singled to put two runners on with one out. Lauren Olivas' attempt to move the runners over came up short however, when LeSage made a diving grab up the third base line on a foul bunt. That out would remain huge, as an error by Jonae Perez let the inning continue, but Turner picked up the loose ball and nailed Pitzenberger at the plate to end the inning and preserve the one-run lead.
Another late rally from the Matadors was stopped by solid 49er defense in the sixth. Long Beach State recorded the first out of the inning, but Alex Alvarado doubled, and the 49ers walked Amanda Peek to put two runners on. The first chance to move them along came up short as Lacy Tyler made a great sliding catch in left field, and Brianna Goad closed out the inning with a catch in center to set down the side.
The 14th-ranked 49ers return home next week, hosting Cal Poly in a huge series between the conference leaders. A doubleheader between the clubs to start the weekend is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 12 at 1 p.m.
