Just one day after dropping a game to UC Davis in extra innings, the Long Beach State softball team found a way to return the favor.
Third baseman Jennifer Griffin produced the game-winning double in the bottom of the ninth to lift the 49ers (21-14, 2-1 Big West Conference) to a 4-3 win over the Aggies (16-16, 1-2 BWC) in Sunday’s series finale at the 49er Softball Complex.
Griffin finished the day going 2-for-3, drove in two and walked twice. The senior was intentionally walked on a previous at-bat with first base open, but had a chance to do some damage in extra innings.
“I had to be ready for anything,” she said.
After second baseman Brianna Goad led off the ninth with a walk, 49er head coach Kim Sowder decided not to have left fielder Ashley Weber sacrifice-bunt her to second, knowing that would leave first base open when Griffin stepped to the plate.
With Goad at first, the senior third baseman drilled an RBI-double into center to plate the winning run.
“It’s definitely a great win,” Griffin said. “After yesterday’s loss, our team was kind of down, but we came back strong.”
Freshman Taylor Petty (9-3) picked up the win after relieving starter Brooke Turner in the third. The right-hander went seven innings to allow three hits, three walks and one earned run, while fanning three batters.
“She’s a tough pitcher,” 49er head coach Kim Sowder said. “The tougher the game, the tougher she is.”
Sowder made a slight change to the batting order that appeared to pay dividends. Goad, who had a hit and two runs scored, was pushed to the lead-off spot in place of right fielder Danielle Linke, who replaced Kristen Pocock in the cleanup spot.
“Linke batted behind Griffin a lot last year,” Sowder said. “I wanted to move Kristen down one spot to let her relax a little and put more support behind [Griffin].”
Goad sparked a rally in the third when the 49ers were down, 3-1, by leading off with a walk. After Weber bunted her to second, Goad advanced to third on a passed ball.
Griffin followed with an RBI single to cut the Aggie lead to 3-2.
“It was a good thing we were able to move her over and finally get in the run,” Griffin said.
Griffin continued the inning by stealing second and later scored to tie the game, 3-3, on a Pocock double to right field. Pocock collected two hits in the game.
UCD jump started the offense in the first after center fielder Belinda Paine singled and second baseman Julie Stauder drew a walk against Turner. Right fielder Sarah Axelson placed a two-RBI double into centerfield to give the Aggies an early 2-0 lead.
“To battle back from a 2-0 deficit showed me a lot,” Sowder said. “You’ve got to bounce back fast in this conference.”
Injury Note
‘Niner shortstop Ashley Levine is walking on crutches after sustaining a deep cut to her left leg during yesterday’s 2-0 loss to the Aggies. Levine will sit out at least seven days and is expected to have staples removed from the wound next Saturday.
She remains questionable for next weekend’s three-game series at home against Cal State Northridge, which starts with a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m.