The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2022-23 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.
After dropping the first game of a Big West Conference weekend series against visiting UC San Diego on Friday, Long Beach State softball used a pair of strong pitching performances to carry the Beach to a pair of wins in the Saturday doubleheader at home.
Samantha Fowler was dominant in the first game on Saturday, striking out eight in a complete game shutout. The senior faced one over the minimum over the first three innings while LBSU took an early lead and held off the Tritons.
Sophia Fernandez was sent to the circle for LBSU in the second game, and also went the distance while giving up just four hits.
After UCSD took a lead, Sara Olson tripled with one out in the bottom of the third and scored on an RBI single from Jacquelyn Bickar. Lilyanna Martinez drew a leadoff walk in the fourth inning, stole second, took third on a bunt and scored on a sacrifice fly from Cassie Camou.
LBSU finished off the comeback in the fifth, as Olson singled to open the inning and scored on a triple from Makayla Medellin to take the lead 3-2.
Once her team was in front, Fernandez didn’t allow a baserunner in the last two innings to finish her first complete game of the season.
The Beach travels to UC Santa Barbara this weekend.
BASEBALL
The Dirtbags have won 10 of their last 12 games after taking a Big West series at UC Irvine.
While first baseman Jonathon Long hit his team-leading ninth home run of the season, junior catcher Connor Burns was the one named the Big West Player of the Week. He’s the third connective Dirtbag to win the award after Long.
Burns went 9-for-18 (.500) with a .550 on-base and .889 slugging percentage in the three games at UCI. Five of his nine hits went for extra bases with four doubles and a home run to go along with four runs batted in and five runs scored.
Now on a nine-game hit streak, Burns is slashing .405/.488/.757 with three home runs and nine RBI in that span. He currently has a .940 OPS for the season.
The Dirtbags host Cal State Northridge this weekend.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Natalie Glenn and Megan Widener were named Big West Pair of the Week after wins over No. 18 Pepperdine and Cal State LA. Since being paired toward the end of last month, the two transfers have been nearly unbeatable posting a record of 12-1 including three ranked wins.
Individually, Glenn is an unbelievable 25-4 on the season which is tied for most wins on the team this season while her win percentage has her alone at the top of the team rankings. Widener has also been dominant with a 21-7 record which goes as the fourth most wins on the team this year.
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
A night after battling Cal State Northridge in a five-set victory, the Beach returned to Walter Pyramid and swept CSUN 25-19, 25-18, 25-16.
LBSU had a balanced attack with Siapanis, Sotiris (nine), Godbold, Clarke (nine) Torwie, Simon (eight) leading the way in kills. Aiden Knipe provided 28 assists and Torwie was fantastic defensively with nine blocks.
The Beach hosts UCI in their last home game of the season on Friday.
