Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
UCLA
Eight-run inning dooms Long Beach State in 11-3 loss to fifth-ranked UCLA
3/26/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 26, 2010
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The Long Beach State softball team rallied to tie the game at 3-3 in the sixth, but fifth-ranked UCLA erupted for eight runs in the bottom half of the inning to run away with an 11-3 victory Friday afternoon at Easton Stadium.
The 49ers dropped to 16-14 on the season, while the Bruins improved to 22-4.
Junior Christina Schallig finished the day with two of LBSU's five hits. Schallig also scored a run and had an RBI. Seniors Ashley Levine and Brandy Reyes, and junior Liz Javier each tallied a hit for The Beach.
Sophomore Taylor Petty was credited with the loss, tossing 2.0 innings of relief. Junior Brooke Turner had started the game as she gave up two earned runs on five hits, while striking out four in 3.2 innings of work.
Long Beach State threatened in the top of the first, loading the bases on three walks. With one out, Javier popped up to UCLA first baseman Megan Langenfeld, who turned the routine out into a double play as Javier was automatically called out on the infield fly rule, while Nalani St. Germain was thrown out trying to score on the dropped fly.
The Bruins then dented the scoreboard in the bottom of the first when B.B. Bates scored on a sacrifice fly from GiOnna DiSalvatore.
The 49ers once again left the bases loaded in the third frame. St. Germain walked before Reyes connected for LBSU's first hit of the game. After Schallig was hit by the pitch, Jennifer Madigan struck out and Caitrin DeBaun popped out to end the threat.
UCLA took a 3-0 lead on a two-run homer by Andrea Harrison before The Beach pushed a pair across in the fifth inning. Reyes reached on an error and advanced to third on a Schallig double. Javier then singled home Reyes before Schallig scored on another Bruin miscue.
Long Beach State tied the game at 3-3 in the sixth when Schallig's two-out RBI single plated St. Germain, who had reached on her third walk of the game.
The Bruins responded in their next at bats, however, as Langenfeld walked and advanced to third on a double by Harrison. Samantha Camuso then singled through the right side to push the go-ahead run across. UCLA went on to score seven more times in the inning, ending the game by way of the eight-run rule.
Long Beach State will take the rest of the weekend off before returning to the 49er Softball Complex on Tuesday, March 30, when it hosts San Diego State in its final tune-up before opening Big West Conference play. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. (PDT).
