March 6, 2005

Final Stats

Los Angeles, CA (March 6) - The Loyola Marymount University women's softball team split a doubleheader with Notre Dame at the LMU Softball Field on Sunday afternoon, falling in game one 2-1 and then taking game two, 5-0.

LMU has now won five of their last six games and improve to 6-5 on the season while Notre Dame goes to 6-7. It was the third meeting of the season between the teams as LMU took the first meeting 7-0 at the Palm Springs Classic.

Game #1 - Notre Dame 2, LMU 1
With both starters throwing a lot of pitches, it was Notre Dame's offense that finally broke through. After four scoreless innings, Notre Dame finally cracked LMU starter Krystal Kehr,

With one out in the top of the fifth, Megan Ciolli hit a solo shot to center field to give Notre Dame the 1-0 lead. In the same inning, Stephanie Brown drew a two-out walk and was driven in on a double from Meagan Ruthrauff to make it 2-0.

LMU finally got to Notre Dame starter Heather Booth in the bottom of the seventh. With two runners on base and one out, Tracy Cook hit a double to left field that bounced off the wall. Pinch runner Kirsten Whitt scored but Brittany Bassett, trying to score from first, was caught at the plate on a throw from leftfielder Kellie Middleton for the second out.

With runners at first and second, Lisa Abbott hit a single to left to load the bases for sophomore Margo Pineda. Booth earned the complete game win by getting Pineda to ground out to second.

For the game, six different Lions earned a hit while Notre Dame finished with seven.

Game #2 - LMU 5, Notre Dame 0
Despite just getting three hits on the game, the Lions made them count thanks to a pair of long balls to overcome a tough pitcher's dual by both teams, including a gem by LMU starter Tiffany Pagano.

The freshman Pagano allowed just two hits to earn a complete game shutout for the win. Notre Dame starter Steffany Stenglein was equally impressive in going seven innings, allowing just the three hits.

The game entered the bottom of the fifth scoreless and the Lions loaded the bases on three walks. With two outs, LMU leadoff hitter Lisa Abbott drilled just the second hit of the game with a grand slam homer run to left field.

With the 4-0 lead, catcher Caylin Hornish added an insurance run with a line drive homer to center field to make it 5-0. It was all the run support Pagano needed.

The Lions will host a doubleheader with Boston College on March 9 starting at 12 p.m.

- GO LIONS -