The Beach softball team defeated San Diego State, 3-2, in the finale of the Campbell-Cartier Classic Sunday.
The Aztecs’ Monica Alnes lined out with runners on the corners to end the game.
Sophomore Brooke Turner (3-2) tossed a complete game, striking out six and allowing two runs on eight hits.
Down 2-1 in the sixth with one out, the Aztecs had the bases loaded and were threatening to go ahead, but left fielder Tonye McCorkle was thrown out at home by LBSU first baseman Jonae Perez on a fielder’s choice.
Center fielder Brittany Knudsen grounded out in the next at-bat to end the inning.
Up 1-0 in the fifth, third baseman Jennifer Griffin stretched LBSU’s lead to 2-0 on a single to left, driving in right fielder Danielle Linke. LBSU catcher Kristen Pocock provided an insurance run in the seventh with an RBI single to make it 3-1.
Aztec catcher Erin Floros made it 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth with a sacrifice fly that allowed center fielder Brittany Knudsen to tag up and score.
The ‘Niners tacked on the first run in the second when first baseman Jonae Perez scored on a fielding error by Alnes at first base.
Earlier in the day, LBSU was defeated, 14-1, by No. 7 Washington in San Diego.
The Huskies exploded for 11 runs in a third inning they nearly batted around twice in to pick up the mercy-rule victory.
Washington chased starting pitcher Bridgette Pagano and didn’t let up against reliever Kelly Cross.
Catcher Alicia Blake started the outburst with an RBI single plating Ashley Charters to give the Huskies a 4-1 lead. Morgan Stuart followed with a two-run triple to extend the lead to 6-1. Second baseman Jessica Ventoza scored Stuart on an RBI double and Bailey Stenson chased Pagano with an RBI single.
Cross didn’t fare much better, allowing four runs on three hits and hit two batters in 2/3 of an inning before getting out of the jam with the Huskies leading 14-1.
Pagano (0-2) lasted just 2 1/3 innings and was tagged for 10 runs — all earned — on nine hits.
Freshman Taylor Petty tossed the final two innings for the ‘Niners, allowing three hits while striking out three.
Danielle Lawrie picked up the win for Washington, allowing just one hit in 4 1/3 innings while fanning seven — including the final three batters of the game.
Felecia Harris, who was the starting pitcher but was pulled after the first inning, strolled to the plate as the designated player and bombed a two-out, three-run home run off Pagano in the second to give Washington a 3-1 lead.
The 49ers threatened with two outs in the bottom of the first as Brandy Reyes singled home Linke, who led off with a walk, to put the ‘Niners up 1-0.
LBSU left the bases loaded, however, when Jodi Nakawatase ended the inning on a grounder to second.
The ‘Niners will compete in the Univesity of San Diego tournament Friday through Sunday, starting with Colorado State and Boise State on the first day of action.
