From LBSU reports

After going 0-2 on the first day of the season, the Long Beach State softball team left the Cathedral City Kickoff tournament with an even record after a 5-2 win over the Liberty Flames on Sunday afternoon.

Freshman Taylor Petty (1-0) pitched 4.0 scoreless innings of relief to earn the victory. Petty had four strikeouts while allowing just one hit. Junior Bridgette Pagano earned the start, giving up two runs on five hits with one strikeout.

Senior Danielle Linke had a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate with two runs scored and an RBI to lead the Beach. Classmate Jennifer Griffin added a pair of hits, including a two-run home run. Griffin has now homered in three of the 49ers’ first four games.

Long Beach State wasted no time in getting on the board as Linke led off the bottom of the first inning with a double. Junior Ashley Weber moved her over to third with a sacrifice bunt before Linke came around to score on a throwing error by Liberty’s J’nae Jefferson.

LBSU quickly made it a 3-0 lead with two runs in the second. Senior Brianna Goad doubled home junior Jodi Nakawatase before Linke had an infield single to plate Goad.

The Flames responded in the top of the third, closing the gap to one on a two-run shot from Jefferson, but Griffin gave the 49ers a couple of insurance runs in the sixth inning, connecting for her third long ball of the young campaign.

Long Beach State finished its season-opening weekend at the Cathedral City Kickoff with a 2-2 record. The 49ers’ Saturday evening game vs. Illinois was cancelled due to inclement weather.

The Beach will return to action next weekend when it heads south to San Diego, Calif., for the Campbell-Cartier Classic from Feb. 13-15. LBSU opens the tournament on Friday with a single game against No. 9/11 Stanford at 4:30 p.m.