Report by LBSU
The Long Beach State softball team swept UC Riverside in a Big West Conference doubleheader Friday afternoon at the 49er Softball Complex. The Beach won by way of a 2-0 shutout in the opener, before defeating the Highlanders, 4-1, in the nightcap.
LBSU improved to 25-26 overall and 9-11 in Big West action, while UCR dropped to 22-31, 7-13 BWC.
Long Beach State 2, UC Riverside 0
Junior Brooke Turner tossed a two-hit shutout to lead Long Beach State to a 2-0 victory in the series opener against UC Riverside.
Turner finished with 10 strikeouts against no walks in seven innings of work. Turner did not allow a runner past second base and faced just three batters over the minimum.
Freshman Caitrin DeBaun paced the 49er offense, going 2-for-2 with a walk and a run scored, while seniors Brandy Reyes and Ashley Weber each finished with an RBI. Reyes and senior Jodi Nakawatase also doubled for LBSU.
The Beach got on the board early, pushing one run across on two hits in the bottom of the first. With two outs, DeBaun singled to right field and came around to score on a double to the gap in right center by Reyes.
Long Beach State tacked on one more in the third frame when Casey Burba reached on an error and stole second. Burba advanced to third on a ground ball to the right side by Bree Stephan, before crossing the plate on a sacrifice fly from Weber.
Turner kept the Highlander offense quiet throughout the game as she registered at least one strikeout in every inning.
Long Beach State 4, UC Riverside 1
Long Beach State jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as it defeated UC Riverside, 4-1, in the nightcap.
Sophomore Taylor Petty went the distance in the circle, giving up one run on six hits. She had four strikeouts, while issuing just one walk.
Bree Stephan drove in a pair of runs and Brandy Reyes went 1-for-2 with an RBI. Senior Bridgette Pagano also had a hit, a walk and a run scored.
The 49ers dented the scoreboard in the bottom of the first when Ashley Weber reached base on a one-out single. Caitrin DeBaun followed with a walk, before Reyes connected for her second RBI double of the day. With DeBaun on third, Javier came through with a sacrifice fly to put The Beach up, 2-0.
LBSU added another run in the second inning when Stephan drove in Nalani St. Germain with another sac fly.
The Highlanders scored their first run of the day in the fifth frame as Kayla White doubled and came around to score on a fielder’s choice.
The Beach tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Stephan plated Casey Burba with a single to right center.
Long Beach State closes out the regular season on Saturday, May 15, when it takes on UC Riverside in the series finale at 1 p.m. at the 49er Softball Complex. LBSU will honor its six seniors prior to the game.