May 16, 2009

Box Score | Photo Gallery

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Senior Danielle Linke delivered a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 13th inning to lift Long Beach State (35-20) to a 3-1 victory over UNLV in an elimination game of the NCAA Los Angeles Regional at Easton Stadium on Saturday.

In addition to Linke's eighth home run of the season, junior Ashley Levine connected for her second long ball of the year. Classmate Jodi Nakawatase had three singles and senior Jennifer Griffin also had her first hit of the postseason as she recorded her team-leading 18th double.

Sophomore Brooke Turner (18-12) earned the victory, tossing 6.2 innings of scoreless relief. Turner scattered six hits, while fanning five batters. Freshman Taylor Petty started the game, allowing one run on four hits in 6.1 innings of work.

Levine got The Beach on the board in the bottom of the second, driving a 1-0 offering from UNLV starting pitcher Stephanie Bregante over the right field wall. LBSU then had several opportunities to increase its lead, putting runners in scoring position in each of the next three innings.

The 49ers' best chance came in the fourth frame as Levine drew a leadoff walk. Sophomore Casey Burba came in to run for Levine and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior Brandy Reyes. Senior Brianna Goad followed with a walk and Nakawatase had an infield single to load the bases with one out. Rebel pitcher Traci Odegard, who relieved Bregante in the third, then struck out the next two batters to end the 49er threat.

UNLV's Jaci Hull evened the playing field in the sixth inning with a solo home run. The Rebels had a chance to take their first lead of the game in the top of the seventh, putting two runners on with one out, but Turner came in to retire the next two batters.

In the eighth, the Rebels (31-21) appeared to have gone up 3-1 as Kendall Fearn hit a two-run blast over the left field wall. The home run was taken back, however, as Hull was called out for leaving first base early on the pitch. Turner was then able to get out of the inning, keeping the score knotted at 1-1.

The 49ers loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the 10th as Perez drew a walk, Levine was hit by the pitch and Reyes received a free pass. Bregante then re-entered the game, getting senior Brianna Goad and Nakawatase to fly out , sending the game to the 11th inning.

The Rebels threatened in the 13th, loading the bases with three singles. With two outs, Turner bore down and got Lauren Briones to strike out swinging.

In the bottom half of the inning, Nakawatase picked up her third hit of the game before Linke drove a shot over the centerfield wall for the 3-1 win.

The 49ers return to the field tonight, taking on Fresno State in another elimination game at approximately 8 p.m.