Feb. 13, 2006
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Briefly
The LMU Softball team will get its first chance to play a game in its brand new home, Smith Field, this weekend when it hosts UC Riverside in a doubleheader on Sunday at noon. The Lions started the season by finishing second in the Hawaii Paradise Classic, and are looking to pick up their first home wins of the season.
Looking Back
LMU finished second at the Oceanic Time Warner Cable Hawaii Paradise Classic. Tiffany Pagano was phenomenal for the Lions in the circle, and the team's freshman class played a large rolein the tournament. After dropping a disappointing game to #25 BYU, 2-1, the Lions rebounded with an 8-5 win over Texas-Arlington. Pagano struck out 12 for a complete game 1-0 victory over Texas State in day two. On day three, LMU earned a split, falling to the host Rainbow Wahine, 6-3, but recording a 4-1 win over Southern Mississippi. LMU earned the #2 seed in the tournament, and defeated Texas State 4-3 in the semifinals. The Lions fell in the championship game, losing 10-0 in five innings to Texas-Arlington.
About UC Riverside
The Highlanders are 4-0 after the opening weekend of play at the UC Riverside Invitational Tournament. Three of UCR's wins came against PCSC teams, as Saint Mary's and San Diego both lost to the Highlanders. As a team, UCR hit .425 with a .540 slugging percentage for the weekend. Melissa Sanchez had an outstanding opening weekend, hitting .786 (11-for-14) with two home runs, a double, a triple and 10 RBI. Kristie Martinez hit .700 (7-for-10) with four doubles and 8 RBI. Three players hit over .500 in the opening weekend.
Pagano Earns Weekly Honor
Sophomore Tiffany Pagano was named the PCSC Pitcher of the Week. The pitcher from Temecula, CA, did not allow a single earned run in 23.2 innings of work at the Oceanic Time Warner Cable Hawaii Paradise Classic last weekend. She went 2-1 with two complete games and struck out 30 batters.
In her four appearances, she allowed just one extra base hit (a double), and batters hit just .133 against her. She was named to the All-Tournament Team, and was joined by freshman Kirsten Slouber. Pagano piitched a complete game shutout against Texas State, striking out a career-high 12 batters and walking just one in LMU's 1-0 victory. In the season opener, she did not allow a hit against #25 BYU, striking out nine in 5.2 innings of work in the 2-1 loss.
It is the fourth time that the sophomore has earned PCSC Pitcher of the Week honors. She earned the award three times in her freshman year, including the final two weeks of the regular season.
Fresh Start
Five freshman were opening day starters for the Lions, and all seven freshmen saw action in the Hawaii Tournament. Rookie Kirsten Slouber was particularly impressive in the opening weekend, hitting .455. She recorded a hit in all seven games, starting the season with a seven game hitting streak. She finished 10-for-22 with five runs, three RBI, two doubles and three sacrifice hits.
Looking Ahead
The Lions head south to play in the first of two tournaments hosted by San Diego State next week.
