No. 20 Long Beach State (2-2) defeated the Liberty Lady Flames, 5-2, on Sunday to finish off play at the Cathedral City Kickoff.
Freshman right-hander Taylor Petty picked up the first win of her college career after coming in for junior Bridgette Pagano after the third inning.
Right fielder Danielle Linke went 4-for-4 with one RBI. Third baseman Jennifer Griffin crushed a two-run homer in the sixth for added run support.
The ‘Niners blanked Wisconsin, 7-0, in Saturday’s action as sophomore Brooke Turner (1-1) pitched a complete game and tallied eight strikeouts en route to her 18th career shutout.
Second baseman Jodi Nakawatase went 2-for-2 with two RBI, while swatting her first home run in a 49er uniform. Griffin and junior Kristen Pocock also added home runs.
The 49ers’ Saturday game against Illinois was cancelled due to rain.
In Friday’s early game, LBSU fell to No. 22 Georgia, 10-6, after the Lady Bulldogs exploded for seven runs in the seventh.
Turner went 6 1/3 innings to retire seven batters, while allowing nine runs. Shortstop Ashley Weber had two hits and two RBI to pace the 49ers’ offense. Griffin and Linke each added solo homers.
In Friday’s second game, Pagano took the circle for the ‘Niners in a 7-1 loss to Southern Illinois. The right-hander recorded a career high nine strikeouts, but allowed seven runs on 11 hits in 6 2/3 innings. Linke went 3-for-4 and drove in the 49ers’ only run.