May 9, 2009

Box Score

Stockton, Calif. - In the final home game of the 2009 season, the Pacific softball team dropped a 6-1 decision to Long Beach State on Saturday, May 9 at Bill Simoni Field. With the loss, the Tigers finished the season 18-34 overall and 3-18 in Big West Conference play. The 49ers improved to 34-19 overall and 15-6 in league play.

After a pair of scoreless innings, Long Beach State plated five runs in the top of the third inning. After a pair of walks by Tiger starting pitcher Chelsea Engle (Folsom, Calif.), Long Beach State's Jennifer Griffin doubled to left center to drive in two runs. A single by Jonae Perez and an error allowed Griffin to score to make it 3-0. Run scoring singles by Brianna Goad and Jodi Nakawatse gave the 49ers a 5-0 lead heading to the bottom of the third inning.

The Tigers threatened in the bottom of the third inning, getting two out singles from seniors Casey Goldsand (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Lauren Weyman (Carlsbad, Calif.). Long Beach State starting pitcher Taylor Petty induced a fly out to end the threat.

Long Beach State added a run in the top of sixth inning when Danielle Link led off with a home run to right field. Pacific answered back in the bottom of the sixth, getting a lead off triple by freshman Paige Emerson (Rocklin, Calif.). Senior Briana Santos (Garden Grove, Calif.) brought Emerson home with a sacrifice fly to cut the lead to 6-1.

Petty picked up the win for the 49ers, improving to 15-4 on the season. Engle took the loss for Pacific, falling to 7-16.

Golsand led the Tigers with a a pair hits, while Weyman, Emerson and senior Heidi Helberg (Brentwood, Calif.) each added one hit. Linke had three hits for LBSU, while Perez and Goad each had two hits a piece.

It was the final home game for this year's senior class. This year's group of seniors have won 108 games over the last four years and leave Pacific having played an instrumental role in the continued development of the Pacific softball program. The 2009 Tiger Seniors: Chelsea Engle, Casey Goldsand, Heidi Helberg, Briana Santos and Lauren Weyman.