Rainbows swept by Long Beach State

Advertiser Staff

Arleigh Thorp doubled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lead Long Beach State over Hawai'i, 5-4, and complete a collegiate softball doubleheader sweep at Mayfair Park in Lakewood, Calif.

In the first game, Lindsey Knoff pitched a nine-inning four-hitter in a 1-0 win for the 49ers (4-2).

The Rainbows (0-2) play a doubleheader today at California-Riverside.

"We had our opportunities, but we just couldn't come through," UH coach Bob Coolen said.

The Rainbows trailed 4-1 after four innings before chipping away on a solo home run by Stacey Porter in the fifth and two in the seventh to force extra innings.

Three UH pitchers each walked four in the second game. Starter Melissa Coogan lasted just 1á innings, Paula Blanning pitched the middle 4¡ innings, and freshman Shannon Tabion (0-1) pitched the final 2¡ innings.

Meredith Cerevanka (3-0) allowed seven hits and four runs, three unearned, in nine innings for Long Beach State.

In the opener, Knoff (1-1) took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Marie Jackson spoiled it with a two-out single.

The 49ers scored with one out in the bottom of the ninth when Jamie Farnworth beat a throw home from second baseman Natalie Gonzales off a fielder's choice grounder by Christina Zepeda.

Sheri Oronoz (0-1) allowed six hits in 8 2/3 innings for UH.