Game 1 Box score
Game 2 Box score
Long Beach State (17-16, 1-1 Big West Conference) split its conference-opening doubleheader against Pacific, taking the first game, 7-0, before losing the nightcap, 3-2, on Friday at the 49er Softball Complex.
“We did a great job in the first game, and in the second game, they took advantage of a couple of walks and jumped on the boards in the first inning,” Beach head coach Kim Sowder said.
Pacific (13-19, 1-1 Big West) edged the 49ers in the second game behind the efforts of pitcher Nikki Armogost (6-4), who not only limited The Beach to four hits, but also roped the deciding run over the right field fence in the top of the fifth for her second home run of the season.
Sophomore pitcher Taylor Petty (6-9) had some difficulty in the circle. The San Pedro native gave up three runs on nine hits, allowed five walks and struck out eight.
“I was struggling a little bit,” Petty said. “My pitches weren’t working as well as they normally do, but I was just trying to hit my spots and get the out.”
Down 3-2, the 49ers managed to get runners on second and third after a Pacific error in the bottom of the seventh before Casey Burba grounded out to end the contest.
Ashley Weber, Brandy Reyes, Caitrin DeBaun and Liz Javier each contributed a hit for the ‘Niners, while DeBaun finished with two RBIs.
LBSU got back a pair of runs to even the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning. Freshman Nalani St. Germain got the rally started with a leadoff walk and Weber followed with a single to left field.
The Beach loaded the bases when Tiger shortstop Megan Allen failed to get the force out at third after diving to snag Reyes’ ground ball.
Debaun then smacked a two-out single up the middle, allowing Weber and Reyes to score.
Long Beach State 7, Pacific 0
In the early game, LBSU did all its damage in one inning, as it went on a seven-run scoring spree in the fourth frame.
DeBaun singled to plate Reyes, who got on with a walk, to get the first run on the scoreboard for The Beach.
The bases were loaded with 49ers, following a base hit by Javier.
Tiger pitcher Shaina Brock walked in two runs, giving The Beach a 3-0 advantage before St. Germain drove in three runs on a standup double.
Weber tacked on the final run for the 49ers when she doubled to bring home St. Germain.
Brooke Turner (9-6), who has had an abundance of illegal pitches called against her in just about every game so far this season, picked up the win for the Beach.
No illegal pitches were called against Turner or Petty in the conference opener.
“It’s so much nicer not being called for illegal pitches, I felt back to my old self,” Turner said. “We focused a lot this week on trying to keep my foot down and walking through pitches, breaking it down, so I think that helped a lot.”
Turner tossed a two-hitter and struck out seven.
St. Germain led the offense as she went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored.
Weber, DeBaun, Burba and Bridgette Pagano each drove in an RBI, while Javier went 2-for-3 and scored a run.
LBSU closes out its series against Pacific with a 1 p.m. game on Saturday.