From LBSU reports
Long Beach State’s softball team, after going winless in the first day of play, fared quite a bit better in the second day of the Cathedral City Kickoff—Saturday evening’s game against Wisconsin (0-3) was a 7-0 win for the Beach. Brooke Turner went the distance, striking out eight. This is Turner’s 18th career shutout, and, just a few games into her sophomore season, she now stands just two shy of breaking into LBSU’s all-time top 10.
The 49er bats came alive as three different players homered in the game. Junior transfer Jodi Nakawatase connected for her first long ball in a Long Beach State uniform, finishing the evening with a 2-for-2 performance at the plate, while adding a pair of RBIs. Senior Jennifer Griffin and junior Kristen Pocock also tallied a home run against the Badgers.
Nakawatase broke a scoreless tie in the top of the third inning with a solo shot. The 49ers put two more runs on the board in the fourth as senior Jonae Perez started a two-out rally with an infield single. Pocock then sent the ball over the right field fence, putting LBSU up 3-0. Griffin followed with a solo home run in the fifth.
The Beach added three more runs over the final two innings. Both Nakawatase and Griffin connected for an RBI double, while junior transfer Brandy Reyes plated senior Danielle Linke with a sacrifice fly to left field.
Long Beach State’s second game of the night against Illinois was canceled due to inclement weather. The 49ers, now 1-2 on the season, are slated to close out the tournament with a single game against Liberty at 11 a.m. on Sunday.