CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – Long Beach State scored two runs in the seventh inning to hold off Bethune-Cookman, 4-1 in non-conference softball action housed at BLD Pawtucket Stadium on Friday evening as part of the 2018 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.
 
Long Beach State (10-1), the third team in as many games for the Wildcats that has either been ranked or receiving votes in this week's USA Today/NFCA Coaches poll, used a run in each of the second and third innings to open the game's scoring.
 
The scoring began in the top-half of the second inning when LBSU right fielder Naomi Hernandez singled up the middle to score Justine Briones. The 49ers catcher Briones walked and advanced on an error earlier in the inning.
 
LBSU added a run in the top of the third inning as Briones collected a RBI single to left that scored Jamie Wren for the 2-0 advantage.
 
Bethune-Cookman (5-8) battled to bring a run back in the home-half of the fifth inning.
 
Cheyenne Smith started off the BCU at-bat with a single to second, followed shortly by sophomore Ryan Jackson drawing a base on balls. That allowed Kailey Richard to produce her fourth RBI of the 2018 campaign, driving in Cheyenne Smith and cutting into the deficit, 2-1.
 
But in the top of the seventh inning, the 49ers would add a pair of insurance runs in order to seal the victory.
 
Second baseman Grayce Majam delivered a RBI single through the left side to score Jamie Wren, while Majam would score herself a play later courtesy the second error of the game charged to the Wildcats.
 
The win went to Long Beach State's Devyn Magnett (4-1) in a complete-game effort. She allowed just one run on five hits, four walks and picked up four strikeouts. Meanwhile, the loss went to Bethune-Cookman starting pitcher Alexis Bermudez (1-1), as she worked 6.2 innings, giving up four runs (two earned) on 13 hits, two walks and three strikeouts.
 
Victoria Guzman finished the game in the pitcher's circle out of the bullpen for the Maroon and Gold.
 
The BCU offensive attack was paced by five different players with a hit apiece on the 49ers' Magnett. But it was Richard with a 1-for-4 day and adding her RBI that proved to be the most damaging. Jacki Smith added a hit, as well as Bermudez, Campos and Cheyenne Smith, respectively.
 
The Wildcats will close out their west coast swing and participation in this year's Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic on Saturday as BCU takes on Missouri (8 p.m.) and San Diego State (11 p.m.), respectfully. Both game times are set for eastern standard time (EST).
 
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