The Long Beach State softball team completed a three game sweep over reigning Big West champions Hawaii at the 49er Softball Complex.
The 49ers (32-9) improved to 9-0 in conference play and have won 12 out of their last 13 games overall. Hawaii (19-19), which has underachieved after past year’s success, came into the series 4-2 in conference play and just 19-16 overall. They fell to below .500 in conference play.
The series began with a double-header on Saturday, with 49er starters Erin Jones-Wesley and Amanda Hansen tossing complete games. Jones-Wesley, who last week defeated UC Riverside to become the all-time winningest pitcher in Long Beach State history with 79, gave up a late two-run home run to Hawaii power-hitter Leisha Li’ ili’ i.
“She’s a really good hitter,” Jones-Wesley said. “I think she leads the conference in home runs. It wasn’t the best pitch, so sometimes they just get a piece of one and they’re ready for it.”
Head coach Kim Sowder was more blunt in her comments, citing Jones-Wesley’s eight walks, but still managed to praise her ace.
“I thought that Erin [Jones-Wesley] definitely did not have her best stuff today and struggled and still found a way. That’s why she’s so good,” Sowder said.
Not to be outdone, Hansen tossed a complete game of her own in an 8-2 victory. It was her 10th complete game of the season.
“She worked hard,” Sowder said. “I think she has good control of her stuff. She’s got a good mix of off-speed that sometimes a power-hitting, big-swinging team like Hawaii will struggle against when you mix up speeds like that. She did a really nice job.”
After struggling with command on Saurday, Jones-Wesley was in complete control Sunday, not giving up a hit until the fifth inning. Sowder said she was aware of the no-hitter, but paid little attention to it until someone brought it up. Jones-Wesley would finish with a one-hitter, her 12th complete game of the season.
The 49ers offense, so consistent all year, combined for 13 runs in the double-header. Ashlynn Booker, who’s recovered from a concussion, drove in three runs in game one. In game two, with the 49ers down 2-1 in the fifth inning, Sarah Carrasco hit a grand-slam to deep left, her third homer of the season. Among the other offensive contributors were second baseman Cya Neal and shortstop Shayna Kimbrough, who each collected five hits over the weekend.
“I think that everyone’s more pumped up in conference. We’re pumped up for the regular season too, but something about conference that’s like ‘OK let’s do it,’” Kimbrough said.
Kimbrough also touched on how some of her teammates were excited about playing Hawaii, the reigning Big West champions.
“I think that because [Hawaii] won the conference last year, I think they’re more competition to us. It was honestly a team thing. Everybody was playing well and we just did it together,” Kimbrough said.
The 49ers will have a quick turnaround, as they travel to Cal State Fullerton (24-16) for a three game series against a tough Titans opponent starting on Wednesday and finishing on Thursday.