May 21, 2005

Box Score |  Photo Gallery

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The Loyola Marymount softball team concluded its historic season today, falling to UNLV, 6-1, in the elimination game of the UCLA Regional at Easton Stadium. Margo Pineda drove in Lisa Abbott in the bottom of the third inning for LMU's only run of the game. LMU finishes the season with a 34-20 record after its first ever NCAA Tournament appearance.

The Rebels took a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning on a three-run home run by Maggie Livreri. With one out in the bottom of the third inning, Abbott's ball dropped in fair next to the right field line for a double. Pineda followed her with a double to the left center wall to score LMU's first run of the game.

UNLV answered with two more runs in the top of the fourth, and added another run in the top of the sixth. For the second day in a row, the Lions had trouble hitting in the late innings, and did not get a hit past the fourth inning. Abbott and Pineda led LMU with two hits each.

Juniors Samantha Lavino and Krystal Kehr pitched well in relief of LMU starter Tiffany Pagano (14-8). Lavino allowed one run on three hits in 3.0 innings of work, while Kehr pitched a perfect seventh inning. Pagano was tagged for five runs (four earned) on eight hits in 3.0 innings.

Jacque Kerrigan (29-14) got the win for UNLV who will face UCLA in game five of the UCLA Regional. The Bruins fell to Cal State Fullerton, 2-1, in 11 innings in the first game of Saturday.

The Lions, PCSC Champions, lose nine players to graduation, but return with a strong core of players, led by PCSC Player of the Year Margo Pineda, PCSC Pitcher of the Year Tiffany Pagano and PCSC Coach of the Year Gary Ferrin.

- GO LIONS! -