Reports From LBSU

The Long Beach State softball team (19-18, 3-3 BWC) stays on the road this weekend as it heads north to UC Davis for a Big West Conference series, April 17-18. The 49ers and Aggies will square off in a doubleheader on Saturday before returning to action on Sunday for the third and final game. First pitch on both days is set for noon at LaRue Field.

A GLANCE AT UC DAVIS
UC Davis is currently tied for fourth in the Big West with a 14-23 overall record and a 3-2 mark in conference play. Last weekend, the Aggies split a doubleheader at Pacific before the series finale was postponed due to rain.

Alex Holmes has done it all for UCD as she leads the squad with a .287 batting average and 33 hits, while she has registered a team-best 9-8 record, 3.30 ERA and 99 strikeouts. Jessica Gonzalez and Sarah Axelson are also tied for the team lead with 14 RBI apiece.

SERIES RECORDS
Long Beach State leads in its series with UC Davis, 14-4. The 49ers picked up a 2-1 season series win in Long Beach last year as the two teams split a doubleheader before LBSU defeated the Aggies, 4-3, in the rubber game. Each of the last two contests have gone extra innings.

49ERS AMONG THE NATIONAL LEADERS
Senior Ashley Weber ranks 12th in the nation on the toughest to strike out list. Freshman Nalani St. Germain is also 35th in the country in walks per game (0.73) and 74th in runs per game (0.89).

SCHALLIG NAMED BWC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Junior Christina Schallig was tabbed the Big West Player of the Week after powering The Beach to a series win over Cal State Northridge. Over three games, the Carson, Calif., native hit .400 (4-for-10) with four runs scored and four RBI. She connected for her first two home runs of the year, finishing with a 1.000 slugging percentage. On the season, Schallig has registered 21 hits, 14 RBI and 12 runs scored.

FRESHMAN SENSATION
Freshman Nalani St. Germain had a huge weekend in her first collegiate action at the Sportco Kick-Off Classic, Feb. 13-14. Over four games, St. Germain went 7-for-13 (.538) with seven runs scored, six RBI and two home runs, including a grand slam in an 8-5 victory over Cal State Bakersfield.

The Chino Hills, Calif., native has continued to be one of the most consistent 49er hitters, knocking out six more home runs for a team-leading eight on the season. That number puts her in a tie for fifth in the LBSU single-season record books. St. Germain is also tops on the team in runs scored (33), hits (35), RBI (24), walks (27) and doubles (8).

REYES ON A ROLL
Senior Brandy Reyes tallied at least one hit in each of the 49ers’ three contests at Cal State Northridge, extending her current hitting streak to five games. Reyes leads all 49er starters with a .313 batting average and has compiled a team-best 10 multiple-hit games. The Moreno Valley, Calif., native has gone yard once this season against Oregon State. Reyes finished that game going 2-for-2 with three RBI.

PUT ME IN COACH
Prior to Big West play, freshman Bree Stephan had earned the starting nod in just 13 of the 49ers’ 31 games. After going 2-for-4 in the series finale against Pacific, Stephan found herself in the starting lineup for all three games at Cal State Northridge. The Simi Valley, Calif., native has made the most of the opportunity as she has posted a team-leading .417 batting average in six conference games.

ONE-HIT WONDER
Sophomore Taylor Petty put forth a solid effort at the Long Beach Invitational (March 12-14), going 2-0 with a 1.40 earned run average and 21 strikeouts in 20.0 innings. Petty led The Beach to a win over Buffalo, tossing a one-hit complete game shutout. It was Petty’s second career one-hitter as she accomplished the feat in her first collegiate start at San Diego in 2008. The San Pedro native currently leads the 49ers with a 2.65 ERA and 97 strikeouts.

FOR THE RECORD
Brooke Turner is making her way up several categories in the 49er career record books. She currently ranks second in strikeouts (487), sixth in shutouts (26), seventh in wins (54), eighth in complete games (61) and ninth in appearances (89).

ON DECK
Long Beach State returns to the 49er Softball Complex next weekend when it hosts Cal Poly, April 24-25.