Long Beach State University Athletics
Softball Travels To San Diego To Finish Non-Conference Play
3/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Long Beach, Calif. -
Complete Softball Weekly Release 
LEADING OFF
• Long Beach State looks to bounce back from a rough weekend at the Judi Garman Classic with the team's final five games before the beginning of Big West play. The Beach starts with a pair of games Thursday, before playing New Mexico State on Friday and another doubleheader Saturday.
• Long Beach State's own sister act of Lauren and Julia Lombardi has been a bright spot for the 49ers in 2015. Through 26 games, the pair has combined for 49 hits, 22 runs scored, 6 home runs, 17 walks and 38 RBI. The pair are also second and third this season in hitting, with Julia hitting .321 and Lauren hitting .312.
POWER SURGE
• Long Beach State has seen a number of great power hitters come through the ranks in recent years, and has two in the Top 10 in school history. Darian Tautalafua hit a home run against Auburn to tie Nalani St. Germain for the Long Beach State record, while senior Ashley Holmes ranks 10th in home runs at the Beach.
Shayna Kimbrough
• Senior Shayna Kimbrough enters the season as one of the leaders of the 49ers. A two-time first-team All-Big West selection, Kimbrough was the 2013 Big West Player of the Year, and won another major award in 2014 as the shortstop was named the Big West Defensive Player of the Year.
• Kimbrough is within reach of three major career records. The LBSU leadoff batter is 37 hits away from setting the Beach hits record, and with 9 more runs scored this season will have the most runs of any 49er as well. Her career batting average of .351 is also the best in Long Beach State history, outpacing the .324 of Jennifer Griffin, who is the 49er record-holder.
• Shayna Kimbrough's stolen base total has also moved the junior into the Top 10 in school history, where she currently ranks seventh. Kimbrough is over halfway to the all-time career leader, current LBSU head coach Kim Sowder, who stole 50 bases as an All-American at Long Beach State.
