Long Beach State University
Utah
Softball Falls In Final Game Of Opening Weekend Against Utah
2/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Long Beach, Calif. - Long Beach State had some early chances, but a home run from Bridget Castro helped Utah outpace the Beach in a 5-3 loss Sunday at the 49er Softball Complex.
Utah (2-3) took an early lead with a home run in the first inning. Kate Dickman singled to get a runner on base, and then Bridget Castro lifted an Amanda Hansen offering over the wall in left field to make the score 2-0.
Long Beach State threatened in the second inning, putting runners on the corners after a walk and a single from Hannah Cookson. Lauren Lombardi was picked off on third on a controversial play, and then a double play ended the threat, keeping Long Beach State (3-2) off of the board.
The Utes added two more in the third inning. Dickman and Anissa Urtez led off the inning with back-to-back singles. The 49ers were able to erase the lead runner on a fielder's choice, but a third hit in the inning off of LBSU reliever Selene Polamalu by Marissa Mendenhall brought home a pair, giving Utah a 4-0 lead.
The 49ers pulled back into the game with a massive two-out rally in the bottom of the third inning. With two out and the top of the order up to bat, singles by Shayna Kimbrough and Leilani Tupua-Tautalatasi got the action started. Darian Tautalafua drove home the first run with another single, which was followed by a base hit from Lauren Lombardi for another run.
Finally, a fifth straight single by Hannah Cookson plated Tautalafua, and the 49ers were back within one run at 4-3.
A leadoff error led to an insurance run in the seventh inning for Utah, while reliever Kayce Nieto finished off three hitless innings of relief in the bottom half.
Long Beach State continues tournament play next weekend, traveling to Las Vegas for the Easton Desert Classic. The 49ers will kick off the tournament Friday with another matchup with Utah.
