Report by LBSU

The UC Santa Barbara softball team picked up its first series win over Long Beach State since 2001 as the Gauchos swept the 49ers, 5-2 and 2-1, Saturday afternoon at Campus Diamond.

With the losses, LBSU fell to 21-24 overall and 5-9 in Big West action, while UCSB improved to 12-33, 3-11 BWC.

UC Santa Barbara 5, Long Beach State 2

Long Beach State was unable to hold on to an early lead as it dropped the series opener against UC Santa Barbara, 5-2.

The 49ers out hit the Gauchos, 7-6, and were led by senior Ashley Levine who went 2-for-2 with a double. Juniors Liz Javier and Jodi Nakawatase also finished with two hits apiece, while freshman Bree Stephan had a hit and an RBI.

Senior Bridgette Pagano (3-2) went the distance in the circle, giving up five runs on six hits, while striking out two.

The Beach got on the board early as Stephan opened the game with a hit. Ashley Weber then grounded into a fielders’ choice and with two outs, Brandy Reyes walked before Javier drove in Weber with a single to centerfield.

LBSU tacked on another run in the second frame when Nakawatase singled and advanced to third on Levine’s double. Stephan then plated Nakawatase with a sacrifice fly.

The Gauchos answered in the bottom half of the inning as Amanda Ziegler connected for a two-run home run to tie the game. UCSB then scored three in the fifth, thanks to a two-out, three-run homer by Keilani Jennings.

UC Santa Barbara 2, Long Beach State 1

Long Beach State once again lost an early lead, dropping a 2-1 decision in the back end of the doubleheader.

Junior Casey Burba led the 49er offense as she went 2-for-2 and scored the 49ers’ lone run. Senior Ashley Weber also tallied a hit and an RBI, while freshman Bree Stephan extended her season-long hitting streak to nine games. Freshman Caitrin DeBaun and juniors Jodi Nakawatase and Liz Javier also found their way into the hit column.

Sophomore Taylor Petty (9-13) was credited with the loss as she gave up two runs on four hits, while striking out six in 3.0 innings of work. Junior Brooke Turner came on in relief, keeping the home team hitless over the final 3.0 innings.

LBSU struck first, pushing one run across in the top of the third. Andrea Littleworth was hit by the pitch to start the inning and Burba, who entered the game as a pinch runner, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Stephan. Weber then drove in Burba with a single to center field.

UCSB came back in the bottom of the third, however, scoring two runs on three hits. Brooke Putich singled home Jessica Ziegler for what proved to be the game-winner.

The Beach made a late run in the final frame as Jennifer Madigan drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on an infield single by Burba. Stephan then moved both runners up 60 feet with a sacrifice bunt, but LBSU’s hopes were dashed in its next at bat as Weber flied out to left field and Alisha Rosen, who was pinch-running for Madigan, was thrown out at home on her attempt to tag up.

Long Beach State returns to Campus Diamond on Sunday as it takes on UC Santa Barbara in the series finale beginning at noon.