The Long Beach State softball team had a tough opening stretch to the season, splitting its first four games before losing 7-0 against Oklahoma in Las Vegas, on Sunday afternoon.
Designated hitter Erin Miller’s homer off LBSU freshman pitcher Cielo Meza gave the Sooners (3-2) an early 1-0 lead. The 49ers had a tough time getting anything going against No. 9 Oklahoma, totalling just four hits against Sooner pitchers Paige Parker and Kelsey Stevens.
Although the 49ers (2-3) were blanked by the Sooners, they dominated South Dakota in the seasoning opener, winning 12-4 on Friday.
South Dakota took an early 3-0 lead after a three-run homer by Sydney Hancock in the top of the first inning. But in the bottom half, the 49ers had two straight walks and tied the game at three after junior Lauren Lombardi slammed her first homerun of the season.
LBSU broke the score wide-open with a five run third inning. Junior Christina Clermont handled the rest, pitching a complete game and picking up her first win of the season.
The 49ers did not get on the board at all in their second game, losing 1-0 to Syracuse. The Orange cashed in the winning run in the third inning on a bases-loaded walk.
Clermont suffered her first loss of the season on Saturday, giving up three runs in four and two thirds innings against Texas Tech.
LBSU bounced back later in the day by defeating No. 14 Minnesota 13-2 in five innings. After struggling to muster up runs in the previous two games, LBSU’s bats woke up against the Golden Gophers, scoring six runs in the first inning. Meza pitched a solid five innings, striking out six on her way to her first collegiate career win.
The 49ers will next play against Stanford in Palo Alto on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.