The 49ers needed a positive end to their season, and got it on the road Saturday by closing out their regular season schedule with a road series sweep of Pacific, finishing 6-1 at Bill Simoni Field. Even with five straight wins (and eight of their last 10), the 34-19 ‘Niners are not guaranteed an NCAA bid, as they’re third in conference, thanks to Cal Poly and Cal State Fullerton also sweeping their weekend series. The 49ers will learn whether or not they get an at-large bid to the NCAA Tourney when the NCAA selection show airs Sunday, May 10, at 7pm on ESPNU.
Freshman Taylor Petty (15-4) continued to shine in the circle as she earned her 15th win, allowing one run on five hits and three walks, while registering seven strikeouts.
The Beach erupted for 11 hits on the day and was led by senior Danielle Linke, who went 3-for-4 with a home run. Classmate Brianna Goad chipped in a pair of singles, while senior Jennifer Griffin drove in two.
LBSU jumped out to an early lead, putting up five runs in the top of the third. Linke and junior Bridgette Pagano drew back-to-back walks to start the inning and quickly came around to score as Griffin drove a 1-1 offering to the gap in left center for her team-leading 17th double. Senior Jonae Perez followed with a single, and an error on the same play by Pacific leftfielder Lauren Weyman, allowed Griffin to cross the plate. Perez eventually scored on an RBI single by Goad.
Long Beach State tacked on one more in the sixth frame as Linke led off with her 11th career home run.
The Tigers (18-34, 3-18 BWC) scored their lone run in the bottom of the sixth when Briana Santos drove in Paige Emerson, who had opened the inning with a triple, on a sacrifice fly.
From LBSU reports