Long Beach State University
Cal Poly
Softball Falls 3-0 In Finale With Cal Poly
5/4/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 4, 2014
Long Beach, Calif. - Long Beach State again couldn't find the answer to Cal Poly's Sierra Hyland, as the Mustangs defeated the 49ers 3-0 on Sunday. Erin Jones-Wesley gave up just three runs with four strikeouts, but took the loss for The Beach.
Shayna Kimbrough had two hits and Jones-Wesley pitched well enough for Long Beach State to have a chance, but a lack of timely hitting and two late runs undid Long Beach State (36-16, 13-5 Big West).
Cal Poly (31-18, 12-6 Big West) got on the board first with a run in the third inning. A leadoff single by Kim Westlund put a runner on for Courtney Tyler, who tripled over the head of Sarah Carrasco in right field with one out. The 49ers were able to limit the damage however, getting out of the inning with a 5-2 fielder's choice with the bases loaded and a foul out from Lauren Moreno.
Long Beach State's best opportunity to crack Hyland came in the next inning. Karli Sandoval hit a one-out single to start the chance. Ashlynn Booker then drew a walk, and Carrasco was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A popup from Hannah De Gaetano and a strikeout from a pinch-hitting Lauren Lombardi ended the threat for The Beach.
The Mustangs added two late runs, as a ball got past a diving Darian Tautalafua in left field for a triple to start the inning, and singles from Hyland and Moreno tacked on a pair of runs for Cal Poly.
Hyland finished with five hits allowed and six strikeouts while getting her second shutout of the series against Long Beach State.
With one week left in the regular season, Long Beach State faces a critical series on the road at UC Santa Barbara, with the two teams tied at the top of the standings. The series begins with a double-header beginning at Noon on Friday followed by the final game of the regular season at Noon on Saturday.
