Long Beach State University
Utah State
Big Inning Brings Long Beach State Past Utah State
3/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
San Diego, Calif. - Long Beach State scored 13 runs in the fifth inning, tied for second-most in school history, as the Beach cruised past Utah State 16-3 in five innings on the strength of that inning. Freshman Julia Lombardi hit a pair of home runs in game two, driving in 6 RBI, a career high.
Long Beach State (13-18) would end up batting around twice in the top of the fifth inning to take the win over Utah State (6-15). Tied 3-3, the 49ers had the top of the order up and went to work.
Shayna Kimbrough singled to start the inning, and after a bunt single from Leilani Tupua-Tautalatasi, Haley Tobler doubled to give the Beach a 4-3 lead. A walk loaded the bases for Darian Tautalafua, who singled, advancing all runners, and then Julia Lombardi singled, scoring a pair to make the score 7-3. A Christina Montoya single scored runners from second and third, and the senior advanced to third on an error by the Aggies.
Montoya showcased more smart baserunning in the inning, coming home to score on a groundout from Tupua-Tautalatasi, as the center fielder held back to force the tag on the baseline, as the 49ers took an 11-3 lead.
Tobler and Tautalafua took advantage of defensive miscues from Utah State to keep the pressure on, and Julia Lombardi capped off the inning with a three-run home run, lifting the 49ers to a 16-3 lead.
Utah State had taken a 2-0 lead on a pair of unearned runs in the first inning but Long Beach State had answered back to take the lead. Julia Lombardi hit a solo home run in the second inning, and then a Lauren Lombardi double scored Kimbrough and Tupua-Tautalatasi as the 49ers took a 3-2 lead in the third. The Aggies had tied the game with one run in the bottom of the fourth inning, however, setting the stage for the fifth inning's pyrotechnics.
Julia Lombardi finished the day 3-for-4 with three runs scored, two home runs and six RBI. The freshman also hit a home run in the morning game, giving her three home runs Saturday. Kimbrough also scored three runs, going 2-for-3 with a walk.
Amanda Hansen went the distance for the 49ers, collecting her fourth win of the season after setting down the side in order in the fifth. She finished with four strikeouts and one earned run allowed.
Saturday's action marks the conclusion of non-conference play for The Beach. After a week off, the 49ers begin Big West Conference play on March 28, hosting UC Davis for three games.
