For the Long Beach State softball team, the start of conference play doesn’t just mark the end to one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation. But the start of their quest to win the Big West, get into the NCAA tourney and just like they have all year, prove they can play, no, beat anybody.

The ‘Niners (27-9) are 3-1 this season against top-ten teams, and no other Big West team can claim that kind of line.

That is why UC Davis had no chance this weekend to upset the #14 Niners. Not with the pitching duo of cemented Big West pitcher of the week Brooke Turner and reigning Big West freshman pitcher of the year Brigette Pagano.

The Niners welcomed newest Big West member UC Davis (15-22) by traveling to their home and sweeping the Aggies. Brooke Turner dealt two complete game shutouts (11 on the season) and scattered six hits over the weekend, while outfielder Dianne Linke continued to come through with the big hit for ‘Niners.

Linke’s 2-run triple in the top of the fifth broke a no-hitter and a scoreless tie in series finale Sunday afternoon en route to a 4-0 ‘Niner win. The 49ers would put up runs in each of the final three innings of the game after being held in check by Davis’ Jessica Hancock.

About 24-hours earlier, Linke’s infield single brought in pinch runner Casey Burba for the Niners’ only and eventual game-winning run in the third. That was all Turner needed as she shut down the Aggies, recording eight strikeouts and giving up only four hits.

In the second game of the doubleheader, Griffin, LeSage and shortstop Jessica Beaver each homered for the Niners, powering an 8-3 win. Pagano improved her record to 11-6 despite giving up two runs in the first. Long Beach State responded as Griffin (a transfer from softball power Tennessee) bombed her first home run as a ‘Niner in the second. Beaver went 2 for 4 with a double and her team leading third homerun of the season. LeSage, who leads the team in hitting with a .326 average and has caught every game this season for the Niners, hit her second homer of the season, pouring onto the lead in the seventh.

With their 27 wins, Long Beach State is one shy of tying last year’s total which was also head coach Kim Sowder inaugural season at the helm for 49ers softball.

The ‘Niners next will play at Cal State Northridge before returning back to play in only their fourth game at the 49er Softball Complex on campus versus conference pre-season favorite Cal Poly on April 12 and 13.