Long Beach State University
UC Santa Barbara
Long Beach State blanks UCSB in doubleheader sweep
4/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 18, 2009
Game 1 - Box Score
Game 2 - Box Score
LONG BEACH - Behind a pair of strong pitching performances and home runs from senior Danielle Linke and junior Bridgette Pagano, Long Beach State swept its doubleheader against UC Santa Barbara, winning 4-0 and 1-0, Saturday afternoon at the 49er Softball Complex.
With the victories, The Beach improves to 26-17 overall and 7-4 in Big West Conference action, while the Gauchos drop to 21-20 and 4-7 BWC.
Sophomore Brooke Turner (14-9) earned her 23rd career shutout with a 4-0 triumph in the opener. Turner went the distance, scattering just two hits while striking out three. UCSB had just five total base runners with only three advancing past first.
The 49er offense gave Turner more than enough support with four runs on nine hits and two Gaucho errors. Linke led the way with a triple and a home run, while juniors Ashley Levine, Brandy Reyes and Ashley Weber all chipped in with a pair of hits. Reyes also had two RBI.
Long Beach State wasted no time in getting on the board as Linke led off the bottom of the first with a triple to the gap in right center and came around to score when Weber drove the first pitch she saw to the opposite field for an RBI single.
LBSU added another run in the third frame when senior Jennifer Griffin reached on an error with two outs. After advancing to second on a wild pitch, Griffin crossed the plate on a Reyes single.
The Beach then put the game out of reach in the fifth with two runs on four hits. Linke connected for a leadoff home run, her sixth long ball of the season. Weber followed with a base hit and moved up to third on a double by Griffin. Reyes then picked up her second RBI of the game with a single to left field.
LBSU 1, UCSB 0
Freshman Taylor Petty (11-4) continued the 49ers' success in the circle in the second game with her fourth shutout of the season. Petty tossed a two-hit gem, striking out four in 7.0 innings of work.
Pagano provided the game-winning run in the bottom of the second with a solo shot over the left field fence. It was Pagano's third career home run and first of the season.
Long Beach State had numerous chances to increase its lead, leaving 11 runners stranded. The 49ers loaded the bases in each of the first three innings, but were unable to come through with the clutch hit.
Senior Jonae Perez finished the game 2-for-3, while Linke, Reyes and senior Brianna Goad all chipped in with a hit.
The Beach will look to complete the series sweep tomorrow as it takes on UCSB at 1 p.m. at the 49er Softball Complex.
