This weekend was the first chance for fans to see the ‘Niners play in the 562 and they did not disappoint.  It raised the question: how did this team start the season 4-7? Coach Sowder was all smiles after the game Sunday and the Niners extending their winning streak to eight games.  Reiterating how this team needed to combine solid pitching with timely hitting, and they just that this weekend:

1. For the weekend Petty and Turner combined for 33 innings pitched giving up seven runs (three unearned) on 21 hits and struck out 27 hitters. And five of those runs came in a 6-5 win over Iowa State Friday.  The hitting was consistent throughout the entire line-up. Leadoff lefty Danielle Linke went 5-for-17 with two HRs, three runs and seven RBIs. Junior Ashley Weber went 7-for-17 and five runs scored.  Griffin was 5-for-15 with one HR, six runs scored and eight RBIs. Followed by Pocock in the clean-up spot who hit 8-for-14 with two runs scored and four RBIs. And switch-hitting Junior Brandy Reyes was 7-for-12 with four RBIs and one run. Breezy Goad was a tough-out in the nine spot hitting 5-for-14, scoring five runs in the tourney.

2. “That’s our goal one-through-nine (in the line-up) put pressure on the defense and have quality at-bats,” coach Sowder said. “And it isn’t so important for momentum even if we don’t score, you put pressure on them and don’t give them the momentum.”

3. Linke hit three-run homers that proved to be the game winning RBIs in back to back afternoons. See the ball, hit the ball, shed tell you. And that’s all she does.

4. The team had a few base running blunders this weekend but ran intelligently throughout, anticipating pass balls and taking extra bases on open bases on two occasions. Freshman pinch-runner extraordinaire Megan Denio scored a couple runs for the Beach on the limited occasions she was on base. She stole second against Wisconsin on Saturday popped up from her slide, looked up see the ball take off to center, drank a cup of water, then took off to third base. Were kidding about the water part but she is that fast.

5. Last year Casey Burba excelled in the pinch runner role, but had key hits off the bench this weekend. She came through on key situations earning praise from her coach and teammates during postgame interviews. Burba got the six inning rally started for the Beach in both games Sunday (the Mercy rule games). She reached base slapping two infield singles and scoring on Linke sac flies. Speed kills.
 
6. The balance of the lineup has been keyed by the four-five power spots in the Lineup. Kristen Pocock is leading the team in hitting with a .370 average in the clean-up spot. Right behind her is Brandy Reyes, who is a patient hitter with power in the five spot. Both ladies have been alternating the catching and designated player role and are crushing the ball.

7. Jennifer Griffin is going to give Big West pitchers nightmares this season. She leads the team with four HRs but is a threat to go yard every at bat. Pocock and Reyes will put up big numbers hitting behind her. And she liked her new nickname we gave her here at the LBPostSports crew. Listen to the opening segment of the podcast to find out what ex-major leaguer’s nickname we borrowed for Griffin.

8. Junior pitcher Bridgette Pagano hasn’t been used in the pitching role too much as of late but you know the former Big West pitcher of the year is always ready to take the circle or step up to the plate  wearing her patented thick eye black, no one in Long Beach rocks it better.

9. The ‘Niners look to stay hot as they welcome teams back to Mayfair Park next weekend for the Long Beach State Tournament. Versus Longwood (9:00am) and Florida International (3:45 pm) on Friday March 6th. Followed by a Saturday game against Iowa (9:00am). Long Beach State will face the no. 4 UCLA Bruins Sunday at 1:30pm and Syracuse immediately afterwards.