April 27, 2002

Los Angeles, CA - The Loyola Marymount University (LMU) women's softball team split a pair of non-conference games with the Santa Clara Broncos, winning the first game 5-1, while Santa Clara snapped the Lions' streak of seven-straight games with a 4-0 shutout.

In the first game the Broncos took the 1-0 lead in the top of the second as Kristi Harrington brought Lacey Smale home from third. SCU closed out the inning with two runners left on base. The Lions answered back to load the bases in the bottom of the inning, only to hit into a double play.

Christy Cerecedes led off the third inning for the Lions nailing a triple down the leftfield line. She was brought home by Casie Phillips, who singled just over second base to tie the game at 1-1.The Lions took the 2-1 lead when Emily Foltz brought Phillips home on a single to left.

Phillips led off the bottom of the fifth inning dropping a single into left field. Kaminaka followed suit with a double to right center. Foltz brought Phillips in for the 3-1 lead off of a foul fly ball to left field. Kaminala was left stranded as the Lions closed out the inning with a ground out to the shortstop, SCU's Tracie Hall.

Dispite singles from Santa Clara's Deanna Rodriguez and Smale, the Broncos were unable to get past third base in the top of the sixth.

With two outs and baes emtpy, Jessica Grassi singled to right field, and stole second, while Cerecedes walked. Corianne Rogalsky, who has just returned to the Lions active list, entered as a pinch hitter to bring in the base runners while increasing the Lions' lead to 5-1 over the Broncos.

Santa Clara's Sydney Wiginton reached first on a bunt in the top of the seventh, followed by walks by both Rahcel Sherman and Hall to load the bases with two outs. They were all left stranded as Rodriguez closed out the inning with a fly ball to center field.

Jennifer Heliotes pitched the entire seven innings for the Lions, collecting the win. Jennifer Ponzo also picked up the complete game for the Broncos, however suffering the loss.

Santa Clara again got an early jump on the Lions in the second game, as Roni Rivera brought Smale in from second on a single to right field.

The Lions loaded the bases in the bottom of the second with no outs the Lions went back without a score collecting three outs in a row. They thought they had a run, however Lauren Hiramoto was called out for leaving third early.

SCU increased their lead in the third to 3-0 with Kristi Harrington scoring on a throwing error by the Lions' catcher. Wiginton also scored in that inning on a double-stolen base play. She stole home while Rachel Sherman stole second.

The Broncos added fuel to the fire in the top of the seventh. Coresta Salas was brought in as Sherman singled to left for the unearned RBI to end the scoring on the day.

LMU's record now stands at 29-31 overall, and remains 11-9 in the Western Athletic Conference. Santa Clara improves to 21-32 overall, with a 2-0 WISL record. LMU's Strinz suffered the loss (11-5) while Rodriguez takes the win for the Broncos.

The Lions will play three twin bills next week. They kick off the week with a home with a non-conference doubleheader against San Diego on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. On Thursday, May 2, the Lions will travel to meet the Bulldogs of Fresno State at 5:00 p.m. for a WAC doubleheader. On Saturday the Lions will play in their final home game of the regular season when they host Portland State for a pair of games beginning at 1:00 p.m.