Freshman pitcher Erin Jones-Wesley struck out eight batters Saturday in a 2-0 Long Beach State victory over Boise State at the 49er Softball Complex.
In her first appearance for the 49ers (2-0), Jones-Wesley allowed only three hits and one walk in a complete-game shutout. She struck out five of the first six batters she retired.
“She had a great start,” head coach Kim Sowder said. “We can’t ask for more than that.”
Sowder pointed out that, although a freshman, Jones-Wesley had “thrown every inning in fall for us, so she’s not so much a freshman.”
Jones-Wesley got in to an early groove, aided by the familiarity of pitching to freshman catcher Karli Sandoval, who Sowder said had played travel ball together.
“Totally helps your confidence,” Jones-Wesley said of the early strikeouts. “You can breathe a little easier.
“At first I was nervous but it was really exciting.”
The Beach scored quickly in the first inning when sophomore Brianna Stephan hit a sharp single, promptly stole second base and made it to third on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Hannah De Gaetano. Sophomore Caitrin DeBaun then lined a single into center field to score Stephan.
“[Boise State pitcher Aubray Zell] was a little wild with most of the pitches up, but the one I hit was right down the middle,” said DeBaun, who finished 2-for-2 with a walk.
Zell (0-1) pitched five innings, giving up one earned run and five hits.
Boise State pitcher Morgan Barnes came on in relief in the fifth, with Zell returning for the sixth. Though she gave up no hits, Barnes gave up an earned run on three walks and two wild pitches.
LBSU returns to action Sunday against Boise State (1-1) at 9 a.m. and Loyola Marymount (0-2) at 1:15 p.m. to conclude the LBSU Round Robin.
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