Softball Continues Big West Play At UC Davis

Saturday, March 27

Davis, Calif.

1 p.m.

Long Beach State University

UC Davis

Photo by: John Fajardo

3/24/2021 2:10:00 PM | Softball

Game Notes - UC Davis

The Beach will play its first conference road series this weekend.

By: Roger Kirk, Assistant Athletics Director, Athletic Communications

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- The Beach will face its first road test of the conference season, heading north to play UC Davis in a three-game series this weekend. Games are set for a doubleheader on Saturday followed by a single game on Sunday, both starting at one. Live streaming and statistics will allow fans to follow all three games.

LEADING OFF
• Long Beach State raced out to a hot start in conference play, picking up a sweep of UC Riverside to close the weekend atop the Big West. Alyssa Gonzalez hit .625 with three doubles to pace the offense, while Kellie White went 2-0 with 11 strikeouts and a perfect 0.00 ERA in two starts in the circle.

• In Monday's finale against UC Riverside, Suzy Brookshire etched her name in the Long Beach State record books, going 3-for-3 with a trio of home runs, the first player in the 41-year history of Beach Softball to hit three home runs in a game.

• 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.

• 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.

• Senior Kellie White was named the Big West Pitcher of the Week on March 15 for her role in a perfect 4-0 week. 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.

• After the NCAA announced blanket 2020 eligibilty relief, White was one of the major senior contributors who returned to the Beach after a strong start to last season. White leads the Beach in innings pitched and strikeouts so far in 2021, and has posted a 4-2 record with a Big West best 0.75 ERA among pitchers with more than one start.

• Also returning as a senior and playing a big role has been Breezy Wise. After hitting .380 to lead the team last season, Wise has started every game in 2021 an dis averaging .355 with four doubles, eight RBI and a slugging percentage of .645, third on the team.

• 2019 All-Region and All-Big West selection Alyssa Gonzalez continues to shine for the Beach. After leading the team with 18 RBI and crucial hits such as a walkoff double against No. 2 Oklahoma one year ago, Gonzalez shares the team lead with a .407 battting average and is reaching base at a .528 clip, also tied for the team lead with eight walks.

PLAYER NOTES
• A wave of Division I transfers have stepped in an played a key role in 2021 for Long Beach State, as all four are making a big impact.

• Freshman Shannon Haddad has made four starts for the Beach and has posted an unbeaten 3-0 record with a 2.04 ERA and 16 strikeouts, making a dangerous 1-2 punch in the circle with Kellie White. Haddad went 11-2 with a 1.00 ERA in 2020 with San Jose State.

• Suzy Brookshire has cemented her role in the heart of the lineup with Gonzalez and Wise. Hitting .355, Brookshire leads the team with four hoem runs and 14 RBI, and is slugging .871 while as another dangerous hitter for the Beach. Also coming from San Jose State is catcher Ashley Machado, who has started 9 games behind the plate and crushed a key home run against Loyola Marmount.

• Cam Cecil has started every game of the season at shortstop for Long Beach State, making just one error while sharing in the team lead in batting with Gonzalez at .407 on the year. Cecil is second on the team with 11 RBI and is slugging .741, second on the team behind Brookshire.

• The Big West Freshman of the Year in 2018, Naomi Hernandez has returned and has assumed a starting role in 2021 as a junior. Hitting .292, Hernandez shares the team lead in walks and is looking to recapture the form tha saw her previously earn multiple All-Big West selections.

• In center field, the Beach has two strong options who are vying for the position. Sara Olson led Long Beach State in batting one season ago, and after a late start has returned to the team and has started six games. Meanwhile Maddy Ruffin, an outstanding fielder has started seven games and has three stolen bases in addition to a pair of outfield assists.

• Other returners of note include sophomore Emily Salazar, who has started three games this season after starting every game in 2020. Justine Briones returns after starting as the catcher last year, and 2020 transfers Rylie Seip and Kyra Snyder have both made starts at DP this year and are active with the team.

• In addition to Kellie White, Long Beach State returns three other pitchers this season. Morgan Quinlan has made one start and two appearances on the year, striking out six in six innings, while Samantha Fowler also returns after posting the lowest ERA one season ago among LBSU's returning pitchers. Presley Miraglia also returns after pitching 10.1 innings of relief as a sophomore.

• Lilyanna Martinez has been a bright spot among the true freshman who have joined the program this season. Martinez has made eight starts and is hitting .368 as well as showcasing her speed on the basepaths, a perfect 5-for-5 in stolen base attempts. Sophia Fernandez has also had a strong start at the plate, hitting .375 with a pair of walks in 10 plate appearances.