Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
Arizona State
Long Beach State unable to tame ASU bats in 11-7 loss
3/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 20, 2009
TEMPE, Ariz. - Despite a seven-run third inning, the Long Beach State softball team fell to defending national champion and sixth-ranked Arizona State, 11-7, Friday evening in front of 1,221 at Farrington Stadium.
Junior Bridgette Pagano went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored, while junior Kristen Pocock and senior Brianna Goad both drove in a pair of runs.
The 49ers were unable to tame the bats of ASU, however, allowing 11 runs on 11 hits and two errors. Sophomore Brooke Turner (10-6) went three innings in the circle and was credited with the loss.
Arizona State (26-5) got on the board in the first inning when Krista Donnenwirth drove a two-out, RBI single to left field. The Sun Devils went on to take a 5-0 advantage with four runs on three hits and two 49er errors in the second frame.
LBSU (19-11) stormed back in the top of third, scoring seven runs on five hits. With one out, Pagano started the rally by doubling to left field. Senior Danielle Linke was then hit by the pitch before junior Ashley Weber's single plated Pagano. Senior Jennifer Griffin followed with a walk to load the bases, setting up a two-run double by Pocock. Senior Jonae Perez kept the inning going by drawing a free pass and junior Ashley Levine brought Griffin home with a base hit. After Reyes was beaned with the bases full, Goad drove in Perez and Levine to give the 49ers a 7-5 lead.
The Sun Devils quickly responded in the bottom half of the frame with a solo home run from Ashley Muenz. ASU then strung together three consecutive singles and Kaitlin Cochran cleared the bases with a grand slam to put ASU back on top, 10-7. The home team added one more in the fifth for the final 11-7 margin.
Cochran finished the night with six RBI, while Lesley Rogers went 3-for-3 to pace the Sun Devils.
Long Beach State closes out its three-game series with Arizona State with a doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. (PT).
