{"id":187582,"date":"2026-02-21T14:14:25","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T14:14:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/187582\/"},"modified":"2026-02-21T14:14:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T14:14:25","slug":"rally-from-long-beach-state-comes-up-just-short-against-byu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/187582\/","title":{"rendered":"Rally From Long Beach State Comes Up Just Short Against BYU"},"content":{"rendered":"

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. \u2013 Long Beach State took an early lead behind a strong pitching performance from senior Isabella Alonso<\/a>, but a grand slam from Hailey Shuler turned the tide for BYU in a 5-4 defeat for the Beach to start the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.
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\nPitching controlled the early innings, as neither team had a hit until the top of the third inning. Puerto Vallarta College Challenge MVP stayed hot, getting a rally going with a single. An error put two on, and a wild pitch advanced both runners into scoring position.
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\nA diving catch in right field by Shuler saved a run on what would have been a double from Avery Weisbrook<\/a>, but it was enough to score Sepulveda from third to give Long Beach State (7-4) a 1-0 lead.
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\nTwo infield singles in the third gave BYU (3-9) their first hits of the game, but Alonso closed out the frame with a flyout to maintain the lead. Alonso worked a quick fourth inning, and picked up two outs in the fifth before a walk brought up the top of the Cougar order.
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\nWith Alonso exiting, a walk put two runners on, and an infield single loaded the bases for BYU. A grounder looked to end the inning, but Lexie Bennett beat the throw to second on a fielder’s choice, and the Cougars made the Beach pay on the next pitch, a grand slam from Shuler to give BYU a 5-1 lead after five.
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\nLong Beach State battled back. Hits from Avery Weisbrook<\/a> and Priscilla Inigiuez put runners on the corners, and then a sacrifice fly from Audrey Mendoza gave the Beach a run in the top of the sixth.
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\nPinch hitter Emily Dowden<\/a> and Erica Estrada<\/a> started off the seventh with a pair of hits, and Nina Sepulveda<\/a> rapped an RBI single to center field to cut the lead to 5-3 and chase starting pitcher Gianna Mares from the contest.
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\nRelief pitcher Jada Villegas faced the top of the order, and Lina Apodaca<\/a> hit a bloop single to score another run to cut the lead back to 5-4. Villegas was able to pick up a pair of groundouts to finish off the game for BYU.
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\nLong Beach State’s time at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic continues with two games. The Beach will face their first ranked opponent of the season in No. 4 Oklahoma at 10 a.m. before playing Bethune Cookman with a first pitch scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
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