Report by LBSU
The Long Beach State softball team was unable to salvage the final game of the series at UC Santa Barbara as it fell to the Gauchos, 1-0, in 10 innings Sunday afternoon at Campus Diamond.
LBSU dropped to 21-25 overall and 5-10 in Big West play, while UCSB improved to 13-33, 4-11 BWC.
Junior Brooke Turner (9-10) went the distance in the circle, giving up one run on six hits in 9.2 innings of work. Turner also struck out 11 batters, while issuing just two walks.
Senior Ashley Weber led the 49ers on the offensive end, going 2-for-3. Senior Jodi Nakawatase also had the only extra base hit of the game with a double.
It was a pitchers’ duel from the beginning as both teams had just one hit through four innings. The Gauchos threatened in the bottom of the first when Jessica Ziegler singled to third base. Brooke Putich then reached on an error before Jessica Beristianos moved both runners up with a sacrifice bunt, but Turner fanned the next two batters to end the inning.
LBSU had a chance to get on the board in the fifth frame as Ashley Levine led off with a single. Alisha Rosen came in to pinch run and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Casey Burba. Rosen then moved to third on a ground ball to the right side from Kristen Pocock, but Andrea Littleworth grounded out to keep the game scoreless.
The Beach also threatened in the sixth as Weber singled and advanced to third on a two-out double by Nakawatase. UCSB was once again able to get out of the jam, however, as Krista Cobb got Liz Javier to pop up.
UC Santa Barbara pushed the game-winner across in the 10th inning when Jamie Adishian singled and moved up 60 feet on a sacrifice bunt. Putich then reached on a fielders’ choice, putting runners on the corners with one out. Beristianos came through in the Gauchos’ next at bat, driving in the lone run with a sacrifice fly.
Long Beach State stays on the road next weekend as it heads to Cal State Fullerton for a three-game series, May 8-9. The 49ers’ doubleheader on Saturday will be televised live on ESPNU.