The Long Beach State women’s softball team will welcome somewhat of a home atmosphere this weekend as they host the Long Beach State Invitational.
The 49ers may get a break from playing on the road, but they won’t be able to relax, as they face two ranked opponents, and another who is on the verge of cracking USA Today’s Top 25 poll.
To this point, the Niners have played only two games at home while spending the vast majority of their time participating in tournaments on the road. That, in combination several unfortunate injuries, has led to a disappointing 7-15 record to start the season.
“We’re definitely making adjustments at practice,” LBSU head coach Kim Sowder said. “We’re meeting with a sports psychologist, just trying to stay relaxed and take it one game at a time.”
The ‘Niners have lost ten of its last eleven games, but the upcoming tournament will provide a great opportunity to turn things around.
The 49ers have typically had success in the Long Beach State Invitational, as they have accumulated a 13-6 record in the tournament over the past four years.
“We’re trying to pick up some momentum heading into conference play,” Sowder said. “It’s difficult, though, with the injuries we’ve had.”
Senior pitcher Taylor Petty has been off the field the entire season so far with a case on pneumonia and is still considered day-to-day. This comes after she pitched most of last year with a torn labrum and was finally healthy coming into this season.
The 49ers will take on five teams in the upcoming tournament, which will include twelve total schools and will be played at three different sites. All of the ‘Niners games will be held at Mayfair Field in Lakewood.
The Beach will open the tournament against Eastern Kentucky on Thursday. They will then face a 17-5 Oregon State team in the nightcap of the doubleheader. Oregon State received votes in the USA Today NCAA softball poll and is just outside the national top 25.
LBSU will have its toughest test when it plays No. 17-ranked UCLA on Friday. It will be the ‘Niners third game against a ranked Pac-12 opponent, as they faced then-No. 14 Stanford and then-No. 15 Arizona at the Cathedral City Classic in Palm Springs two weekends ago. They lost those games 3-0 and 4-0, respectively
“We always try to play the toughest competition,” Sowder said last week. “It’s nice coming out knowing we can compete.”
On Saturday the 49ers will face yet another ranked opponent, this time in No. 24 North Carolina. They will wrap up the tournament on Sunday with a game against Charleston Southern.
Other notable schools participating in the tournament are CSU Fullerton, Notre Dame and Michigan State. Games will be played at Long Beach State’s home field, Cal State Fullerton’s home field and Mayfair Field.