April 17, 2005

Box Score

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Margo Pineda hit two home runs and drove in the game-winning run to help the LMU softball team to a doubleheader split against Santa Clara in PCSC action this afternoon in Santa Clara, Calif. The Lions dropped game one, 6-4, despite Pineda's home runs, but bounced back with a 1-0 win in game two. Kayla Meeks pitched her second straight shutout, and Pineda's double scored Meeks for LMU's only run of the game. The Lions remain in first place in the PCSC with a 10-2 conference record.

Loyola Marymount (28-16, 10-2) was held to four hits in game one. Second baseman Pineda made two of those count, hitting back-to-back home runs in the first and third innings. Designated player Casie Phillips accounted for the other two, including a double in the sixth.

Down 1-0, Santa Clara (21-28, 4-8) countered in the second to take a 3-1 lead. Centerfielder Jessica Clee doubled to start the frame and was followed by catcher Daisy Mettlach's single. One out later, designated player Sabrina Franks hit an RBI single. Mettlach took advantage of a wild pitch to score and Franks followed on the next play.

The lead was short-lived, as LMU tied the contest in the bottom of the second. With two outs, the Lions loaded the bases with two walks and a single by Phillips. The Bronco outfield dropped a fly ball, allowing Emily Foltz to score. A second error on the play by the Bronco defense brought in Phillips. LMU retook the lead in the third with Pineda's second home run of the contest.

Santa Clara recaptured the lead in the fourth. Clee tied the contest at 4-4 with a home run to right center. Outfielder Angela Kabanuck reached on a fielder's choice and after the second out was recorded, consecutive singles from Valerie Mock and Jillian Cassel scored an additional run. Jenny Brown, who led off the game with a double, kept the rally alive with the Broncos' third straight single in the frame.

Santa Clara added an additional run in the sixth. Kabanuck singled to start the inning, advanced to second on a wild pitch and stole third. She scored on Vanessa Werner's RBI single.

Krystal Kehr started in the circle for the Lions and was pulled after 1.1 innings. Tiffany Pagano followed with 4.2 innings of play and took the loss. Samantha Lavino threw in the seventh to close the contest.

Jerrica Castagno earned her seventh win of the season.

In the second game, LMU scored the game-winner in the third. Meeks singled and scored one out later on Pineda's double. The Lions finished with six hits, including two from Brittany Bassett, and Meeks earned her 11th win in the circle, throwing a complete game. Santa Clara finished with four hits, from Werner, Mettlach, Sabrina Franks and Clee. Junior Liz Courter took the loss.