Report by LBSU
The Long Beach State softball team (4-4) bounced back from a 12-3 loss to No. 9/10 Georgia Tech with a 4-3, eight-inning victory over Illinois-Chicago Saturday at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic.
#9/10 GEORGIA TECH 12, LONG BEACH STATE 3
Long Beach State was unable to overcome the offensive power of No. 9/10 Georgia Tech as it suffered a 12-3 defeat in five innings Saturday at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic in Las Vegas.
Senior Jodi Nakawatase connected for her first homerun of the season, accounting for one of LBSU’s three hits. Senior Ashley Weeber and freshman Bree Stephan also found their way into the hit column, while Weber and freshman Nalani St. Germain each drove in a run.
Junior Brooke Turner (1-2) was credited with the loss as she allowed seven runs on six hits in one inning of work. Senior Bridgette Pagano tossed 4.0 innings of relief, giving up five runs on five hits, while notching a season-high eight strikeouts.
Georgia Tech (8-0) put up four runs in the top of the first, highlighted by Jessica Weaver’s two-run single. The Yellow Jackets tacked on three more in the second and two in the third to take a commanding 9-0 lead.
The 49ers got on the board in the bottom of the fourth, pushing two runs across to cut the deficit to 9-2. After LBSU loaded the bases with one out, St. Germain drove in freshman Brooke Bell on a fielder’s choice. Sophomore Alisha Rosen then crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly from Weber.
GT responded with three runs in the top of the fifth thanks to a solo homerun from Weaver and a two-run blast by Hope Rush.
Nakawatase led off the bottom half of the inning with a homerun, but that was all the 49ers would get as Georgia Tech got the next three 49ers to fly out, ending the game by way of the eight-run rule.
Georgia Tech finished with 11 hits and was led by Weaver (2 hits, 3 runs, 3 RBI) and Rush (2 hits, 3 runs, 4 RBI).
LONG BEACH STATE 4, ILLINOIS-CHICAGO 3
Long Beach State bounced back in its second game of the day, defeating Illinois-Chicago, 4-3, in eight innings Saturday evening.
Sophomore Taylor Petty earned the start on the mound, giving up three runs (one earned) on 10 hits, while striking out eight. Senior Bridgette Pagano then retired the side in the bottom of the eighth to secure the win for The Beach.
Senior Brandy Reyes led the 49er offense, going 2-for-4 with two RBI. Sophomore Jennifer Madigan also had a pair of hits, while freshman Nalani St. Germain connected for a homerun.
Illinois-Chicago (4-5) struck first as Kehr sent a solo shot over the centerfield fence in the bottom of the fourth, but the 49ers responded in the fifth when St. Germain evened the score with her fifth homerun of the season.
LBSU took a 3-1 lead in the top of the seventh, scoring two runs on two hits. Madigan led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Bree Stephan. The Flames intentionally walked St. Germain before Ashley Weber was hit by the pitch to load the bases. Reyes then came through with a two-run single to put LBSU on top.
UIC answered once again in the bottom half of the inning, scoring two runs on two hits and a pair of 49er errors.
The Beach pushed the game-winner across in the eighth as freshman Dana Garcia came around to score after Weber was hit by the pitch with the bases loaded.
Long Beach State closes out action at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic tomorrow with a single game against No. 13 Oklahoma. Game time is set for 9 a.m. (PST).