LBSU falls from first despite wins

A weekend trip to New Mexico State this weekend provided both good and bad news for the 49er softball team.

• The good news: The 49ers won the weekend series over the Roadrunners.

• The bad news: LBSU fell out of first place of the Big West Conference.

 
• The good news: Outfielder Jessica Smith was named Big West Player of the Week.

They split a doubleheader with the Roadrunners (25-27, 9-9) on Saturday.

The first game went four extra innings until 49er Kristina McCarty, who was pinch running for pitcher Kristi Fox, scored a run in the top of the eleventh inning on a base hit through the
middle by third baseman Christina McCarty. LBSU won the game 1-0.
 

"We had some opportunities. They had some opportunities," said 49er Head Coach Pete Manarino. "We couldn't catch any key hits."

Things did not fare so well for the 49ers in the second game as they lost, 7-3. The Roadrunners scored four runs off 49er pitcher Traci Hensel, who was replaced by pitcher Kelly Nasrawi in the fourth inning. LBSU recorded two runs in the sixth inning, but New Mexico matched them with three more runs of their own. A single run by the 49ers in the seventh inning was not enough to match the seven runs by the Roadrunners.

The 49ers won the final game of the series 10-2.

"On Sunday we came out with a little more focus," said Manarino. "They played very, very well. Everybody contributed. It was a real good team effort."

LBSU improved their Big West Conference record to 14-4, but they fell to second place in Conference. The 49ers previously held the No. 1 spot with Cal State Fullerton. The Titans (15-3 BWC) swept Utah State this past weekend to gain sole possession of first place.

Smith was named Big West Player of the Week after hitting .467 and three homeruns over the weekend, two of which came in the second game.

The 49ers play their final home series of the season this weekend with games against Pacific (27-22, 11-7). LBSU leads the series versus Pacific with a record of 43-14.

"Anything can happen this weekend," said Manarino. "There should be some good ball games."

The action begins at 1:00 p.m. this Saturday at the 49er softball complex.