Long Beach State Softball Sweeps UC Riverside

FROM LBSU REPORTS

Lauren MacLeod’s three-run home run in the sixth inning proved to be the game-winner, as No. 18 Long Beach State held off UC Riverside in a 4-2 win, the 13th in a row for the 49ers, a program record.

Long Beach State (32-7, 6-0 Big West) once again struck early, scoring in the first inning for the third time in the series. After Fry and Hernandez reached base to start the game, a wild pitch moved them into scoring position, and MacLeod came through with the first of her four RBI on the day, a sacrifice fly to right field scoring Fry as the Beach took a 1-0 lead.

Cielo Meza was forced to exit early, working 2.2 innings but loading the bases in the third inning. Sophomore Devyn Magnett came through for the Beach, however, inducing a groundout to get out of the inning and maintain the 1-0 lead.

UC Riverside (25-15, 2-4 Big West) recovered to tie the game in the top of the fourth inning. Seanna Garewal opened the inning with a single, and after a bunt and an error put runners on the corners, an RBI single from Raena Robinson tied the game at one. Magnett was able to limit the damage to just the one run, however, which was key to the comeback later.

Grayce Majam got the action for Long Beach State started in the sixth inning with a single, and then Naomi Hernandez walked with two outs to put two on in front of MacLeod. The senior came through in a big way, hitting her second home run of the season, a three-run shot to left field to put the Beach back in front 4-1.

Magnett would finish off the contest to get her eighth win of the season, and the Beach has now run off 13 straight wins after a pair of sweeps to open Big West play.

Long Beach State had previously won 12 consecutive games in two different seasons, once in 1989 and once in 2004.

Next up is a thrilling series on the road at Cal State Fullerton, as the two rival schools will face off tied at the top of the Big West standings at 6-0.