LONG BEACH STATE NOTEBOOK / JASON REID : Softball Program Building With Youth

Marketing potential aside, placing many freshmen in key roles has its disadvantages. Yes, we know, the youth movement worked for the Michigan basketball team (see Fab Five).

But trust us on this one: Relying on neophytes usually isn’t so comforting.

Softball Coach Pete Manarino knows first-hand, because five of the 49ers’ seven freshmen play regularly. Manarino has given the other two playing time as well, helping to instill confidence in all the newcomers and, consequently, providing many head-pounding moments for himself.

“It’s tough at times,” Manarino said. “You have to be very patient, very positive and encouraging.

“It’s been a roller coaster. One day we’re very good, and then the next day we make silly errors.

“You just have to show encouragement through all the ups and downs. You can’t get upset because they’re all just beginning.”

The biggest adjustment for the, ah, 49er Seven, has been off the field.

“Travel, academics and juggling time are things they all have to work on,” he said. “But that’s what (most) freshmen have to do.”

There are only two seniors on the 17-woman roster.

Undoubtedly, Manarino would like to have a few more sage players in the program. But graduation has a funny way of affecting experience.

Besides, Manarino said, it’s not as if he had a choice. Student-athletes move along and coaches have to adapt. It just turned out that the 49ers’ coach has been forced to adapt a little more than he’s used to.

“I’ve never had this many freshmen before and I’ve never played as many,” said Manarino, in his 12th season at Long Beach.

“It’s been a learning experience for me as well.”

Infielder Nina Lindenberg, a graduate of Canyon High, tops the group in offense. She’s second on the team with a .293 batting average, third with three home runs and has eight runs batted in.

Former Cypress High standout Amanda Adams, who plays first base and the outfield, is making an impact on defense.

She has 176 putouts, 11 assists and has committed only six errors for a .969 fielding percentage. Adams is batting .200 with one home run and four RBIs.

“They’re all very good athletes and they’re a good group,” Manarino said. “They all work hard, which makes it easier.”

Long Beach is 25-22, 8-8 in the Big West Conference. Although his team’s record doesn’t spark fear in opponents, Manarino has reason to be optimistic.

The 49ers are 9-16 against teams ranked in the top 25 and 7-13 against teams in the top 10. Tough competition has helped the freshmen immeasurably, Manarino said.

“I think the team has progressed pretty well,” he said, “and I think we’re starting to jell a little bit.”

Now seems to be a good time, because the regular season is winding down. Long Beach has 14 games remaining and, Manarino believes, a realistic shot at a postseason invitation.

“I think we’ve got a shot to get into the regionals,” he said. “I hope we do, because that would be a great experience for them.”

Indeed, yet another for the 49er freshmen this season.

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Top pitcher: The Big West selected Amy Miner, a sophomore right-hander, as pitcher of the week.

Miner defeated No. 8 Cal State Northridge, 2-1, on Wednesday, lost to San Diego State on Thursday, 3-0, and beat No. 5 Nevada Las Vegas, 2-1, on Saturday.

Miner has a record of 11-6 with a 1.72 earned-run average and 88 strikeouts in 155 innings. She has pitched 11 complete games and has five shutouts.

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It’s gone--finally: Adams hit the first official home run at the 49ers’ on-campus softball complex Thursday in the second game of a doubleheader against San Diego State.

Adams’ two-run homer, in the fourth inning of the 49ers’ 5-0 victory, went to left field. Adams, who also singled and doubled, was three for three with two runs scored and three RBIs.

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Playoff time: Long Beach will open the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation men’s volleyball playoffs at 2 p.m. Sunday at UC Santa Barbara.

The Gauchos defeated the 49ers in the teams’ only regular-season meeting, 14-16, 15-10, 15-6, 8-15, 15-12.

Long Beach (17-8, 11-7 in the MPSF) closes the regular season at USC on Wednesday.

49er Notes

The baseball team won two of three from San Jose State in a Big West series Friday through Sunday at Blair Field. Long Beach is 21-17-1, 8-4 in conference. . . . The women’s tennis team lost its two matches last week. Loyola Marymount defeated the 49ers, 8-1, on Wednesday and UC Irvine won, 5-4, Thursday. The team is 7-15.