Long Beach State University Athletics
49ers host Pacific in Big West Conference series opener
4/1/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 1, 2010
Complete Release in PDF Format 
LONG BEACH - The Long Beach State softball team (16-15, 0-0 BWC) will host Pacific for three games in its Big West Conference series opener, April 2-3.
The 49ers and Tigers kick off the weekend with a doubleheader Friday beginning at 1 p.m. The teams then return to the field for the finale on Saturday (1 p.m.). All contests will be played at the 49er Softball Complex.
A GLANCE AT THE TIGERS
Pacific brings a 12-18 overall record to Long Beach after splitting a pair of non-conference games against Boise State on Wednesday. The Tigers, who have lost three of their last five, are searching for their first true road win as they are 0-5 when playing on an opponent's home field.
Lindsey Pierce leads UOP on the season with a .398 batting average, 33 hits and 17 walks, while Kellee Wilson owns a team-best 19 RBI. On the defensive end, Nikki Armagost has anchored a three-person pitching staff with a 2.42 earned run average and 52 strikeouts.
SERIES RECORDS
The Beach leads in its series with Pacific, 63-24. The 49ers swept the Tigers in Stockton last year, extending their win streak to five in a row. The Beach has also claimed eight of the last 10 meetings between the two teams.
HOME SWEET HOME
Long Beach State suffered just its second home loss of the season to San Diego State on Tuesday, March 30. The 49ers have posted an impressive 7-2 record on their own turf this season, including five games played at Mayfair Park. The Beach is 3-1 when playing at the 49er Softball Complex.
49ERS AMONG THE NATIONAL LEADERS
Senior Ashley Weber ranks 14th in the nation with 0.31 sacrifice hits per game, while she sits at No. 32 on the toughest to strike out list. Freshman Nalani St. Germain is also among the top 50 in the country in runs per game (1.0 rpg) and home runs (8).
FOR THE RECORD
Brooke Turner is making her way up several categories in the 49er career record books. She currently ranks second in strikeouts (471), tied for sixth in shutouts (25), seventh in wins (53), and ninth in complete games (59) and appearances (86).
FRESHMAN SENSATION
Freshman Nalani St. Germain had a huge weekend in her first collegiate action at the Sportco Kick-Off Classic, Feb. 13-14. Over four games, St. Germain went 7-for-13 (.538) with seven runs scored, six RBI and two home runs, including a grand slam in an 8-5 victory over Cal State Bakersfield.
The Chino Hills, Calif., native has continued to be one of the most consistent 49er hitters, knocking out six more home runs for a team-leading eight on the season. That number puts her in a tie for fifth in the LBSU single-season record books. St. Germain is also tops on the team in runs scored (30), hits (28) and RBI (20).
ONE-HIT WONDER
Sophomore Taylor Petty put forth a solid effort at the Long Beach State Invitational (March 12-14), going 2-0 with a 1.40 earned run average and 21 strikeouts in 20.0 innings. Petty led The Beach to a win over Buffalo, tossing a one-hit complete game shutout. It was Petty's second career one-hitter as she accomplished the feat in her first collegiate start at San Diego in 2008. The San Pedro native currently leads the 49ers with a 2.83 ERA and 80 strikeouts.
ON DECK
Long Beach State continues Big West play on the road next week as it heads to Cal State Northridge for a three-game series, April 10-11.
