Long Beach State erupted for five runs in the top of the seventh
inning to defeat Mississippi Valley State, 5-0, in the NCAA
Softbal Regional Tournament. The loss eliminated the Delta
Devilettes from post season play and ended their historic run
in the tournament.
LBSU was led by Meredity Cervenka, who pitched her third no-hotter
of the season, fanning 11 MVSU batters in the contest and walking
only two.
The 49ers broke a scoreless tie in the top of the seventh
inning with a five run, two out rally. Colleen Burdick reached
base to start the inning, after shortstop Tamara Phillips bobbled
the ball, which was followed by a walk to Lauren Johnson. Then
with two outs, Marcel Torres connected for a double to left
field to score Johnson for the 1-0 lead.
Another MVSU fielding error ensued to allow Roxanne Staniorski
to reach base and score two more 49er runs for a 3-0 lead.
A Melanie McCauley single up the middle plated Staniorski for
the 4-0 lead. The third Devilette fielding error scored the
fifth LBSU run.
Cervenka finished off Mississippi Valley State with a pair
of strikeouts and a groundout to end the game.
Despite giving up 11 hits, MVSU's Elizabeth Imbert had pitched
out of three jams earlier in the game. She didn't get any run
support and took the loss.
During the tournament, MVSU became the first SWAC team to
ever win a game in the NCAA Softball tournament and later became
the first SWAC team in any sport to win multiple games in an
NCAA tourney.
