Long Beach State Edges Iowa, 1-0

Stats

March 13, 2012

Box Score

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LONG BEACH, Calif. — Long Beach State scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning to edge the University of Iowa softball team, 1-0, Tuesday afternoon at the 49er Softball Complex.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t capitalize on some opportunities,” said UI head coach Marla Looper. “We didn’t take advantage of some chances today and that’s something we can control.

“When you open the door for someone and they keep putting runners on, and unfortunately, when you get them to third too often they’re going to score.”

Left fielder Megan Denio trotted across the plate for the game-ending run on a wild pitch by Iowa junior Chelsea Lyon. Long Beach State had a pair of hits in the inning and a third runner reached on a fielder’s choice before the errant pitch allowed the 49ers to claim the 1-0 victory.

The win improves LBSU’s record to 11-17, while Iowa falls to 9-10 on the year.

Iowa had its chances in the game offensively, leaving a combined three runners on base in the fifth and sixth innings. In the sixth, junior Bradi Wall drew a leadoff walk before pinch runner Sydney Reynolds moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt.

Junior Johnnie Dowling followed by ripping a single up the middle, but Reynolds collided with LBSU shortstop Shayna Kimbrough on the play and was called out due to interference, essentially ending the Iowa threat.

In the sixth, freshman Megan Blank hit a double off the left field wall to open the inning, but was thrown out at third base trying to stretch it into a triple. Senior Katie Keim followed with a single up the middle before moving to second on a mental lapse by the 49ers and third on a wild pitch. She was left stranded, however, when senior Liz Watkins fouled out to third base, and sophomore Kayla Massey grounded out to first base.

Lyon was the tough luck loser, allowing one run on five hits in 6.1 innings. She had six strikeouts to four walks in the game to even her record at 5-5 on the season. LBSU’s Erin Jones-Wesley scattered five hits in the complete game shutout, striking out six.

Dowling and Blank accounted for four of Iowa’s five hits in the game. It was Dowling’s fifth and Blank’s seventh multi-hit game this season.

Iowa (9-10) returns to action Thursday, facing Notre Dame and No. 3 Washington at the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, Calif.