Long Beach State 49ers
Overall Rank: #32
Conference Rank: #1 Big West
Long Beach State struggled to a 25-25 overall record in 2019, missing out on the NCAA Tournament. But with experience in the circle and some newcomers joining the lineup, this is a 49ers team that has the tools to win the Big West and possibly do some damage in the NCAA Tournament as well. Senior Kellie White will be the leader in the circle after splitting time in 2019 and 2020 with the now departed Ashley Coleman. If White can pick up where she left off in 2020, LBSU will be in a great position to win a Big West title.
2019: 25-25, 12-9
2019 Postseason: None
Coach: Kim Sowder
Key Departed Players:
Jamie Wren, UTL, .381 BA, 6 HR, 39 RBI
Nichole Fry, IF, .336 BA, 8 HR, 25 RBI
Ashley Coleman, P, 3.08 ERA, 13-11 W/L, 134.0 IP, 78 SO
Sydney McCollum, IF, .311, 1 HR, 15 RBI
Key Returning Players:
Alyssa Gonzalez, UTL, .340 BA, 5 HR, 38 RBI
Naomi Hernandez, OF, .317 BA, 1 HR, 16 RBI
Kellie White, P, 2.83 ERA, 11-11 W/L, 131.0 IP, 97 SO
New
Abby Lockman, C, trans from Tennessee
Rylie Seip, OF, JC
Kyra Snyder, IF, trans from Louisville
Projection:
Long Beach State led the Big West in batting average, on-base percentage and scoring in 2019. Despite the loss of key hitters Jamie Wren and Nichole Fry, they should be able to keep that going. Alyssa Gonzalez hit .340 last year and is the only returning player to hit more than three homeruns in 2019. Naomi Hernandez is also a proven hitters who batted over .300 last season. Gonzalez will drive in plenty of runs, but Long Beach State needs some other power hitters on the roster; and they went out and got them. Kyra Snyder spent two seasons at Louisville and hit .282 with three homeruns and 24 RBIs during that span. Snyder can also provide another pitching option should the 49ers need it. There is not a lot of proven depth so staying healthy will be very important. If that happens, Long Beach State should be back in the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Softball Tournament
