Reports From LBSU
The host 49ers scored five runs in the eighth inning to pick up a 6-1 victory over San Diego in the Long Beach State Invitational finale Sunday afternoon at Mayfair Park.
Junior Brooke Turner was credited with the win, tossing two scoreless innings. Sophomore Taylor Petty had earned the start, allowing one run on nine hits, while striking out six.
Juniors Brandy Reyes, Jodi Nakawatase and Liz Javier all finished with two hits apiece, while freshman Nalani St. Germain had three RBI. As a team, The Beach tallied a season-high 11 hits.
San Diego (5-13) threatened in the second inning, putting runners on second and third with no outs, but Petty was able to get two fly balls and a strikeout to keep the game scoreless.
LBSU (10-12) also had a chance to take the lead in the top of the fourth as Caitrin DeBaun and Reyes started the inning with back-to-back singles up the middle. Nakawatase moved the runners up with a sacrifice bunt and Jennifer Madigan walked to load the bases, but USD pitcher Jennifer Ellenbeck was able to get Casey Burba and St. Germain to go down swinging to end the threat.
The Toreros eventually dented the scoreboard in the fifth when Carey Casciola’s bases-loaded infield single brought Megan Walsh home. The Beach responded in the top of the sixth as Nakawatase singled through the left side. She advanced to second on a wild pitch and with two outs, Burba slapped the ball to third base forcing an errant throw with her speed, allowing Nakawatase to cross the plate.
Neither team scored in the seventh, sending the game into extra innings. With the international tiebreaker rule in effect, Megan Denio was placed on second to start the top of the eighth. Reyes brought her home with a hit up the middle before Nakawatase and Madigan singled to load the bases with no outs. After Burba lined out to short, St. Germain came through with a triple down the right field line. St. Germain also scored on the play as Torero second baseman Cathy Wineinger threw wide of home.
Turner then sent San Diego down in order in the bottom half of the inning to secure the 6-1 win.
Long Beach State closes out its tournament schedule next weekend when it heads south for the San Diego Classic II, March 19-21. The 49ers open action against No. 21 Texas A&M Friday at 4:30 p.m. (PDT).