The 49er softball team is looking to extend its season-long eight-game winning streak this weekend as it returns to Mayfair Park to host the Long Beach State Invitational, March 6-8.  The Beach opens action with a twin bill on Friday, taking on Longwood at 9am and FIU at 3:45pm. On Saturday, LBSU plays a single game vs. Iowa at 8:45 a.m., and then closes out the tournament with two marquee games against UCLA (1:30pm) and Syracuse (3:45pm) on Sunday.  Should they win all five games, the win against Syracuse would set the university record for most consecutive wins ever, with 13.

LBSU’s Opponents

Longwood enters the weekend with a 6-4 overall record. Courtney Long has paced the Lancer offense with a .476 batting average, two doubles and four RBI. Emily Radford and Nichole Simmons both have a pair of home runs to their credit, while Radford also leads the squad with six RBI. Brianna Wells (5-3) has been the ace for Longwood, posting a 2.40 ERA with 26 strikeouts.

FIU has lost four in a row to drop to 10-10 on the season. Jenny Welch leads the Golden Panthers, hitting .327 with 11 RBI. Kim Rodriguez has also been an offensive threat with five doubles, one triple, one home run and 10 RBI. Kasey Barrett, meanwhile, has anchored the pitching staff with a 4-2 record, 1.90 ERA and 50 strikeouts.

Iowa was receiving votes in the latest USA Today/NFCA and ESPN.com/USA Softball polls as the Hawkeyes have gotten off to a hot start at 12-3. Five players are hitting over .300, led by Erin Riemersma (.357) and Liz Watkins (.308), who has connected for a team-best three home runs and 12 RBI. Brittany Weil (8-2) has proven to be a tough opponent in the circle with a 0.67 ERA and 95 strikeouts, while giving up just 12 walks.

UCLA (19-2) enters the weekend on a 14-game winning streak and is ranked third and fourth in the USA Softball and NFCA polls, respectively. Katie Schroeder tops all Bruin hitters with a .406 batting average, .797 slugging percentage and a .537 on base percentage. Schroeder also has a team-best seven home runs, while Kaila Shull leads the squad in RBI at 29. Donna Kerr (10-2) has led the defense in the circle with 112 strikeouts in 72.2 innings pitched.

Syracuse will make its way to Southern California with a 9-4 overall record. Stephanie Watts has started every game for the Orange, posting a .452 batting average with two doubles, four triples, four home runs and 10 RBI. Brittany Gardner (3-2) leads the pitching staff with a 1.29 ERA in 38.0 innings of work.

After the conclusion of the Long Beach State Invitational, the 49ers wrap up tournament action next weekend when they head to San Jose, Calif., for the National Invitational Softball Tournament, March 13-15.

From LBSU reports