As part of a robust package of nearly 150 games across ESPN linear platforms, Long Beach State is set to host Cal Poly at LBSU Softball Complex on Saturday, May 3 at 2 p.m., in a nationally televised contest on ESPNU. The game falls on the final weekend of the regular season, leading up to the inaugural 2025 Big West Softball Championship. 
 

The Beach have taken home The Big West title twice over the last four years after being crowned champions in 2021 and 2023. Overall, LBSU has made 26 NCAA Championship appearances, with nine under 16-year head coach Kim Sowder.  

In 2024, Cal Poly finished third place in the league right behind LBSU after amassing a 28-17 overall record accompanied by an 18-8 mark in Big West play. The Mustangs also celebrate head coach Jenny Condon as the reigning Big West Coach of the Year.  

Long Beach State returners Jacquelyn Bickar and Shannon Haddad dotted the 2025 Softball Preseason Team for back-to-back seasons. Bickar brought in 13 runs across the infielder's 42 hits a year ago (third on team) earning approval on this year's preseason team. LBSU teammate Haddad sat down twelve batters during the pitcher's five games last season. 

Cal Poly counters with junior returner Kiara Blanchard who brought in 26 runs and 41 hits for the Mustangs a year ago. The junior outfielder was awarded Field Player of the Week back on Feb. 26, 2024.  
 

Last season's three-game matchup went LBSU's way with the Beach winning the series, 2-1 in San Luis Obispo, Calif. The Mustangs earned a 2-0 victory in the opening game before the visitors won the last two by scores 3-2 and 8-1. 
 

The 2025 season commences on Thursday, Feb. 6, with all 10 teams taking to the diamond this weekend to open the year. Conference play begins on Friday, March 7, with the season culminating in a postseason event for the first time in league history.  
 

A variety of regular-season games and every contest in the Championship is slated to air digitally to subscribers on ESPN+ with nearly 2,600 games on tap nationwide. To sign up, please visit espn.com/watch. Games aired on ESPN networks are available on the ESPN App, accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets and connected devices to fans who receive their video subscription through an authenticated provider. 

   About The Big West   
The Big West is an NCAA Division I member with 11 members with the shared goal of empowering every student-athlete in competition and in life and uniting its university communities through championship experiences. Formed in 1969, The Big West membership consists of Cal Poly, Cal State Bakersfield, Cal State Fullerton, CSUN, Hawai'i, Long Beach State, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara. The Big West is united in the pursuit of boundless opportunities, enduring integrity, bold activism, fearless innovation and the pacific spirit of freedom, exploration and progress.   
   
The Big West sponsors 21 sports at the NCAA Division I level: baseball, softball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's volleyball, women's beach volleyball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's track and field, men's and women's water polo and men's and women's swimming and diving. For more information, visit BigWest.org or follow The Big West on X @BigWestSports.