Long Beach State University
Creighton
Beach Takes NCAA Opener 2-1
5/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 16, 2008
Iowa City, Iowa - Long Beach outlasted Creighton in a sloppy game, taking the Iowa City Regional opener 2-1 in eight innings. In a game marred by seven errors, it was the last that ended the game, as Casey Burba came home on an error from Renae Sinkler with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth.
Long Beach State (40-15) ended the game with three errors, and Creighton (43-16) had four as both teams showed some jitters early in the first postseason game for both teams. However, the most important error was the last, as the 49ers took the game on the lone unearned run of the contest.
Jennifer Griffin started the bottom half of the eighth inning with a single, her second hit of the game, and with the game deadlocked Burba was sent in to run for the junior. Oltman picked up the first run of the inning with a fly out, but Burba stole second, and a single from Lacy Tyler put runners on the corners. Looking to create a force at any base, Creighton loaded the bases with an intentional walk of Ashley Levine. Goad then hit a hard shot to Sinkler that the first baseman was unable to handle as each runner advanced, ending the game.
The 49ers opened the scoring in the first inning, taking advantage of a two-out walk from starter Tara Olstead. LeSage stole second to put a runner in scoring position, and Jennifer Griffin singled to left to give the 49ers a 1-0 lead.
Long Beach State lost a good chance to put the game out of reach in the bottom of the fourth inning. Lacy Tyler started the inning by reaching on an error, and after a single from Ashley Levine, Brianna Goad reached on an error to load the bases with no outs. However, Olstead picked up a strikeout to get the first out of the inning, and two groundouts ended the inning with no additional runs.
That would come back to hurt the 49ers in the fifth inning, as the Bluejays used a similar round of small ball to tie the game. Turner retired the first two batters, but Liz McKewon was hit to put a runner on, and after stealing second, she would score on an RBI single by Jessi Jadlowski, tying the game at 1-1.
Brooke Turner put in another outstanding start, striking out five and allowing just three hits in eight innings pitched to earn her 27th win of the season. Griffin was the offensive star going two-for-three with an intentional walk.
With the win, the 49ers advance to the winner's game tomorrow, as the Beach will face the winner of Friday's second game, Missouri. First pitch for the 49ers' game Saturday is scheduled for Noon CT.
