Long Beach State softball scored first in the Tempe Regional opener against Ole Miss on Friday, but two big innings doomed the Beach in a 9-1 loss. The 49ers will play an elimination game on Saturday.
LBSU took advantage of Ole Miss errors to score in the second inning. Julia Lombardi reached on an error at third base, Tierra Falo looped a single to right field and Grayce Majam reached on an infield single to load the bases with one out. Wren hit a hot shot to third base, and the second error of the inning allowed Lombardi to score. Ole Miss got out of the jam with a pop up and a line out.
Starting pitcher Cielo Meza gave up a 1-out single in the top of the first inning, but Kylan Becker was called out after leaving early on a stolen base attempt, and Meza struck out Brittany Finney on the next pitch to end the inning.
LBSU got two stellar defensive plays in the second inning. LT Torres made a diving stop and strong throw from third base for the second out, and after a double, left fielder Jamie Wren threw out the runner at the plate on a clean single. Catcher Lauren MacLeod made the easy tag.
Meza lost control in the third inning and Ole Miss scored three times without a hit. Jessica Flores came on in relief for two scoreless innings before Ole Miss scored once in the sixth and five times in the seventh off of her and Devyn Magnett. Ole Miss freshman Abby Latham had two home runs.
LBSU wasn’t patient at the plate, and had only had five hits while going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Ole Miss starter Kaitlin Lee got eight of her first 15 outs with three pitches or less.
LBSU faces the loser of Arizona State and New Mexico State on Saturday.
