March 20, 2008
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
Los Angeles - LMU earned a double header split against New Mexico State Thursday afternoon, dropping the first game 2-1 but recovering for a 1-0 victory in game two at Smith Field in Los Angeles. The Lions (23-10) saw their seven-game winning streak snapped with the loss before getting back to winning ways in the follow-up against the Aggies (16-20).
Less than 24 hours after teeing off for seven home runs in a double header sweep of UNLV, LMU's offense was stifled by NMSU hurler Kim Watson. Watson (12-12) limited the Lions to four hits and unearned run while striking out five and walking four. That was enough to defeat sophomore Melissa Dykema (9-6), who was just as impressive with five strikeouts and one walk in a five-hitter.
The Aggies took the lead in the third, as the first two batters singled. After a strikeout, Dykema fielded a come-backer and tried to get the lead runner at third. The umpire ruled safe on the close play, loading the bases for Kristi Randall, who singled to center for the first run of the game. Dykema was able to get out of the frame without further damage, striking out Hoku Nohara and getting Ashley Maroda to fly out to the warning track in left.
New Mexico State doubled its lead in the fourth on Brittany Clifton's RBI single. The Lions would have to wait until the sixth to start their comeback, with freshman Amy Charpentier and sophomore Darcy Pagnini each drawing walks to lead off. The Lions caught a break when Maroda threw away junior Chelsie Tysdal's sacrifice bunt attempt, allowing Charpentier to score and putting runners on second and third with no outs. Watson managed to escape the inning, however, as Pagnini was out on the next play trying to score from third on a grounder to short and Watson struck out the next two hitters to strand the runners.
Game two was another classic pitcher's duel, pitting LMU senior Tiffany Pagano against Vanessa Fitzgerald. The visitors looked to strike first in the top of the opening frame, using a walk, single, and hit batter to load the bases with two outs but Pagano struck out Colleen Kimbro to end the Aggies' best threat of the game.
The Lions, on the other hand, stranded a runner at second in each of the first three innings before breaking through in the fourth when Tysdal led off with her eighth homer of the year. That single shot would hold up as Pagano had another tremendous outing. She struck out 13 and walked two in a three-hitter to improve to 14-4 on the year.
Fitzgerald (2-3) and Samantha Dillard combined to allow five hits, including two by Tysdal, who also walked once to reach in all three of her plate appearances.
The Lions take a 10-day break, returning to competition on Sunday, March 30 in a home double header against Cal State Bakersfield.
