Long Beach State University Athletics
Beach Continues Big West Play At UC Riverside
3/31/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Long Beach, Calif. -
LEADING OFF
• Long Beach State stands a game back in Big West play after the opening weekend, and will face another test in conference play as the 49ers head out for their first road series at UC Riverside. The teams will play a lone game Friday afternoon, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday starting at Noon.
Shayna Kimbrough
• Senior Shayna Kimbrough is one of the unquestioned leaders of the 49ers this season. 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 picking right back up where she left off, leading LBSU with a .390 batting average, 39 hits and five stolen bases.
• Kimbrough is within reach of three major career records. The LBSU leadoff hitter will set the school runs record the next time she scores, and is 26 hits away from setting the school's hits record as well. Her career batting average of .355 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.
PLAYER NOTES
• Long Beach State's own sister act of Lauren and Julia Lombardi has been highlight of the 2015 season. Through 34 games, the pair has combined for 69 hits, 31 runs scored, 11 home runs, 22 walks and 57 RBI. The pair are also second and third this season in hitting, with both players entering the UCR series hitting .343.
• Sophomore Christina Clermont has been Long Beach State's most consistent pitcher through the first half of the season, ranking in the Big West's top five pitchers in ERA, opponent batting average and strikeouts in 100.2 innings pitched. Clermont has thrown three complete game shutouts in her last four appearances in the circle for the Beach.
WHAT'S THE SCORE • All games for the remainder of the season can be followed via Gametracker at www.longbeachstate.com, the home of Long Beach State athletics.
