The Long Beach State softball team will play Lehigh (1-5) at the 49er Softball Complex before heading to Fullerton for five games in the Judi Garman Classic.
The 49ers (11-6) will be well-rested after the final three games of the Long Beach Louisville Slugger Invitational were canceled due to inclement weather. The extra time to rest could prove vital, however, as the team is set to play six games in five days.
The long stretch of games begins against a one-win Lehigh team, which has had eight of its 14 games canceled or postponed. The Mountain Hawks picked up their first victory at San Diego State on Monday, 3-0.
The 49ers will then start the Judi Garman Classic Thursday against Fresno State (10-5), followed by a double-header Friday against Houston (10-7) and San Jose State (11-6). The scheduled 8 p.m. start time for the Thursday game could prove problematic for the 49ers, as the first game of the double-header is scheduled for 10 am.
The 49ers’ improved starting pitching has given head coach Kim Sowder options when it comes to deciding the next game’s starter. However, Sowder said she won’t hesitate using both Erin Jones-Wesley and Amanda Hansen in the same game.
“They’re a tough combination together,” Sowder said. “If we feel like one or the other’s not in complete command or the other team’s starting to make adjustments, they’re very different pitchers and work well to split the games as well.”
Sowder said she usually doesn’t look past one game when it comes to choosing a starter. One pitcher may start the game and other could finish, all depending on the flow and in-game adjustments being made.
The 49ers’ last two games of the tournament will come against Wisconsin (7-7) and preseason No. 10 Texas (13-9). The Longhorns fell out of the top 25 after being sub-.500 for most of the season. A recent five game winning streak at the Texas Invitational has bueyed them over .500 and in discussion for a top 25 ranking.
Among the concerns for Sowder and the team is a lack of an immediate third starter.
“Christian Carbajal would be the obvious person in that role,” Sowder said. “That was her role last year. She kinda shared the two spot with Amanda [Hansen].”
Sowder also brought up the possibility of Carbajal redshirting this year.
Erin Jones-Wesley’s return to dominance has been a welcome sign for the 49ers. The right-hander, who tore her Anterior Crucial Ligament (ACL) last April in a non-softball related incident, seems to have overcome her early season struggles probably caused by not being able to pitch all fall.
“It was hurt last year, but they did not feel it was her ACL,” Sowder said. “She pitched really well at the end of the year but couldn’t use her leg much. She’s just a competitor and found a way to make it work.”