(Photo Courtesy of Long Beach State Athletics)
Long Beach, Calif. – Long Beach State ran its winning streak to five games, dropping Lehigh 4-1 Wednesday in the first of six scheduled games for the 49ers this week. Shayna Kimbrough scored twice, reaching base three times while Leilani Tupua-Tautalatasi went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Long Beach State (12-6) got started early, holding off Lehigh (2-7) in the top of the first and then getting on the board in the bottom of the first. Kimbrough drew a leadoff walk, and after stealing second base, a single from Karli Sandoval brought home the speedy leadoff hitter for a 1-0 lead.
The 49ers threatened again in the third inning, as Kimbrough reached again, this time as a hit batter, and again stole second base. After advancing on a Cya Neal groundout, the 49ers seemed to increase their lead on a sacrifice fly from Hannah De Gaetano, but Kimbrough was called out on appeal to end the inning and keep the score 1-0.
The call ended up unimportant in the end, as Long Beach State brought home a run in the fourth inning on an RBI double from Darian Tautalafua, and then scored two more in the fifth.
After a leadoff single by Tupua-Tautalatasi, Shayna Kimbrough dropped a perfect bunt down the third base line, fielded by Lehigh third baseman Morgan Decker. Decker continued to throw to an uncovered first base, and the 49ers jumped on the miscue, scoring Tupua-Tautalatasi and bringing Kimbrough around to third, who scored on a following single by Neal to make the score 4-1.
Erin Jones-Wesley scattered four hits and struck out six over five innings, earning her sixth win of the season, but tired in the fifth inning, giving up two walks and two wild pitches. With a 4-1 lead, and five games left in the week, the 49ers elected to turn to the bullpen, and Amanda Hansen collected her first save of the season with two hitless innings of relief.
The 49ers will return to action tomorrow, starting their time at the Judi Garman Classic at Cal State Fullerton by playing Fresno State at 8 p.m. Thursday evening.
