March 9, 2005

Box Score

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The LMU softball team swept a doubleheader against Boston College this afternoon at LMU Softball Field, winning game one 12-4 in five innings, and game two, 9-3. Freshman Tracy Cook was 5-for-6 with two home runs, including a grand slam, seven RBI, a double and three runs scored in the two games. LMU wins its seventh game in eight attempts to improve to 8-5 this season, while the Eagles fall to 9-12.

The Eagles started well with Kimmy Hopkin hitting a solo home run to centerfield on the first pitch of the game. But it would be the only run that LMU starter Kayla Meeks would allow the Irish. The Lions answered with five runs in the bottom of the first, with every player in the lineup getting an at-bat. Caylin Hornish hit a three-run home run to start LMU's scoring. After Emily Foltz walked, Cook hit her first career home run to centerfield to give LMU a 5-1 lead.

Hornish drove home another run in the bottom of the second, and the Lions added another five runs in the bottom of the third to go up 11-1. All six of LMU's hits in the inning were singles, and the Lions batted around for the second time in the game.

The Eagles cut the lead to 11-4 on a three run home run by Elena Ferrero in the top of the fourth, but the Lions ended the game early with a run in the bottom of the fifth. After the Lions loaded the bases, Brittany Bassett drove home LMU's 12th run of the game to invoke the mercy rule.

For the game, Margo Pineda led LMU, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI. Hornish was 2-for-3 with four RBI and a run scored, while Cook and Lisa Abbott each had two hits, two RBI and two runs scored.

Meeks picked up her third win of the year, allowing just one run on four hits in 4.1 innings of work. She walked one batter, and struck out a batter. Britney Thompson took the loss for the Eagles, allowing seven runs in nine hits in 3.0 innings. Hopkin was the only BC batter with multiple hits.

Things continued to go well for LMU in the second game. Samantha Lavino picked up her first win of the season, allowing one run on four hits in 4.0 innings of work. She struck out three batters and walked one.

The Lions went ahead 2-0 in the bottom of the first. Hornish and Cook drove home the two runs. The Lions broke the game open in the third inning, as Cook hit a grand slam to give LMU a 6-0 lead. Bassett followed Cook's homer with one of her own, her first of the season to make it a 7-0 game.

BC ruined LMU's shutout attempt, as Thompson hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth to make it a 7-1 game. Cook took over for Lavino in the circle, but struggled with her command, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks in 1.1 innings of work. Tiffany Pagano finished the game for LMU, striking out two batters and not allowing a hit or a walk in 1.2 innings to close the door on the game.

Cook was a perfect 3-for-3 with five RBI on the game. Danielle Kaminaka was also perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI. Bassett also had multiple hits for LMU, going 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI.

Michelle Daly took the loss for BC, allowing seven runs on five hits and three walks in 3.0 innings. Ferrero finished the game for the Eagles, allowing two runs on six hits in 3.0 innings. Hopkins led the Eagles again with two hits.

LMU heads to the Long Beach State Tournament this weekend, and will face #16 Florida in the first game at 2:00pm on Friday. The tournament will be played at Mayfair Park in Long Beach.

-GO LIONS-