J'nae Jefferson belted a two run homer down the left field line to bring the Lady Flames within one run of No. 24 Long Beach State, but the 49ers prevailed to defeat Liberty 5-2, Sunday afternoon, to wrap up play in the Cathedral City Kick Off.

With the loss, Liberty drops to 0-5 on the year, while Long Beach State improves to 2-2.
Freshman Jenny Law kicked off the Liberty offense with a single to right field in the top of the first, but was then called out at second when Kelly Strickland hit into a double play. J'nae Jefferson fouled out to third to end the half-inning.

Long Beach leadoff batter Danielle Linke started up the 49er offense with a double to right-center. After an Ashley Weber sacrifice bunt, Jennifer Griffin reached on a Liberty throwing error and Linke scored the first run of the game.

Designated player Ashley Bensinger belted a single to right center in the top of the second inning, and advanced to third when Keely McMillon followed suit with another single to the outfield. But the Lady Flames could not capitalize, leaving a pair of runners on when Cassie Hendrix grounded out to third.

Long Beach designated player Kristen Pocock reached on a walk to start off the bottom of the second inning, and was then thrown out at second base on a fielder's choice play. Jodi Nakawatase advanced from first to score on a double by Brianna Goad, and the 49ers led 2-0 after two innings of play.

The Lady Flames answered in the top of the third with another single from Law. After a sacrifice bunt from Strickland, Jefferson hit her first long ball of the year over the left field fence to bring the Lady Flames within one, 3-2.

The Liberty defense stayed solid in the bottom of the third, causing the 49ers to strand three base runners.

Long Beach State brought in freshman pitcher Taylor Petty in the top of the fourth inning, and the Lady Flames would not score again in the contest. Bensinger struck out looking to start the frame, followed by a Kaylee West walk. McMillon then was out on a sacrifice bunt which advanced pinch runner Meredith Baisden to second, before Petty ended the half-inning by striking out Hendrix.

Liberty pitcher Sarah Ellis struck out Goad to begin the bottom of the fourth, before Linke singled up the middle. Linke advanced to second when Jennifer Griffin reached on a Liberty fielding error, but the runners couldn't score.

Amber DePasquale tried to jump start the Lady Flames offense in the top of the fifth with a double to left field, then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Law. But Strickland popped up to first and Jefferson fouled out, keeping Liberty from tying up the game.

Long Beach extended its lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when Griffin homered to left center after Linke singled to right field.

Hendrix walked to lead off the top of the seventh, but the Liberty bats stayed quiet the reest of the frame and the 49ers cemented the victory.

Petty (1-0) picked up the win for Long Beach State, giving up one hit over four innings and striking out four batters.

Ellis (0-3) took the loss, giving up nine hits and four earned runs, and striking out seven Long Beach batters.

Linke paced the 49ers, batting 4-for-4 with a RBI and two runs scored.

Jefferson and Law were the Lady Flames' offensive leaders. Jefferson was 1-for-3 with two RBI, while Law was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Liberty (0-5) is back in action on February 24, when the team travels to Knoxville, Tenn., to take on the Lady Vols of Tennessee in a doubleheader at 3 p.m.