Beach Softball Closes Non-Conference Play At CBU, Opens Big West against UC Riverside

Tuesday, March 16

Riverside, Calif.

3 p.m.

Long Beach State University

California Baptist

Photo by: John Fajardo

Beach Softball Closes Non-Conference Play At CBU, Opens Big West against UC Riverside

3/16/2021 11:28:00 AM | Softball

Game Notes - Week 3

Long Beach State will try to extend its winning streak after going 4-0 last week.

By: Roger Kirk, Assistant Athletics Director, Athletic Communications

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Last week's doubleheader with California Baptist was postponed due to rain, so the team's will try again on Tuesday, March 16 in Long Beach State's final non-conference games, and then the Big West slate will begin with three home games against the other school from the Inland Empire, UC Riverside.

LEADING OFF
• Long Beach State bounced back in a big way with a perfect 4-0 week last week. As a team, the Beach hit .351 and posted an 0.54 ERA in doubleheaders against San Diego and Loyola Marymount.

• Senior Kellie White was named the Big West Pitcher of the Week for her role in those wins. White pitched a complete game shutout with 10 strikeouts against San Diego, and then came back and didn't allow an earned run in another complete game against LMU. On the week, White went 2-0 with 12 strikeouts and allowed just five hits over 13.0 innings pitched.

• COVID-19 protocols cost Long Beach State its first weekend of action as the Beach was scheduled to play Sacramento State and Fresno State each twice in Fresno. LBSU was able to return to action quickly though, and was able to reschedule the doubleheader with USD for one day later.

• The NCAA granted eligibility relief for all players in 2020, and so Lnog Beach State will welcome back two key seniors from that team. Breezy Wise led the team in batting average, hitting .380 with a slugging percentage of .600 and a team-high OBP of .456 while starting 17 games in the outfield. Kellie White also returns in the circle, coming off of a season where she went 8-5 with a 1.95 ERA and a Big West leading 78 strikeouts while starting 13 games.

• For 2021, Long Beach State was again picked to finish second in the Big West by the conference's coaches in advance of the season. The Beach was picked just behind 2019 champions Cal State Fullerton and in front of other contenders UC Davis, Hawai'i and Cal Poly.

• Junior Alyssa Gonzalez earned All-Region and All-Big West honors in 2019, and continued to find success in 2020, batting .338 with a team high 18 RBI. Slugging .481 on the year, "Gonzo" came through in big moments, most notably in the bottom of the seventh against No. 2 Oklahoma, hitting a two-run double to complete a four-run, two-out walkoff comeback against the Sooners.

• Two newcomers that return in 2021 made a big impact last season. Junior Rylie Seip joined the Beach as a junior college transfer, and hit .350 with three doubles and three home runs and driving in 12 RBI. Freshman Sara Olson was fourth in the team in batting at .338, starting 18 games at multiple positions while earning the leadoff position for the team on the year.

• A reminder that due to University and Big West guidelines regarding COVID-19, no fans will be allowed in attendance during the 2021 campaign at the LBSU Softball Complex.