April 10, 2011

Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

LOS ANGELES - A Sunday doubleheader split was enough for LMU to remain in at least a share of first place in the Pacific Coast Softball Conference standings after the opening weekend at Smith Field. The Lions (19-21, 3-1 PCSC) took Sunday's first game 5-0 behind two home runs from junior Kelly Sarginson and a complete-game shutout by sophomore Molly Medeiros, only for the Gaels (5-16, 1-3 PCSC) to rally for a 3-1 win in game two to avoid the sweep.

Game one was all about the continued power surge of Sarginson, who had 13 career home runs entering this season. She hit her PCSC-leading 11th and 12th of the season in game one to move into a tie with Hillaree Bennett (2006) for fifth-most in a single-season in LMU history while her three RBI also gave her 40 for the year and 94 for her career, ninth-most all-time at LMU. With LMU looking for just its second-ever four-game sweep to open PCSC play, however, the Gaels spoiled the party with Rebecca Sabatini's two-run homer overturning a 1-0 deficit in support of Britany Linton's five-hitter.

LMU 5, Saint Mary's 0
Sarginson homered in her first two at-bats and Medeiros tossed a five-hit shutout to clinch the series win for the Lions. Sarginson had her third career two-homer game as one of four Lions to collect multiple hits and lift the Lions to their 10th consecutive home win.

For the third time on the weekend, LMU scored in the first inning, as Sarginson hit her 11th home run, a two-run shot, just over the centerfield fence to stake the Lions to a 2-0 lead. The two RBI moved Sarginson into the LMU career top-10 but she was not done there, adding to the Lion lead and registering her third career two-home run game with a solo shot to left in the fifth. LMU then put the game away with two more runs in the seventh on a wild pitch and RBI infield single by sophomore Danielle Smith.

Both teams would have their chances in the second inning. The Lions loaded the bases with one out but the Gaels forced an out at the plate and then got senior Amy Charpentier to pop up. Saint Mary's had its own opportunity in the bottom of the frame, with Megan Smith's double putting runners on second and third with no outs. But Medeiros bore down, getting a great diving stop by freshman 3B Meghan Harman for the second out, then striking out Mandy Camuso to end the inning.

Medeiros bounced back from a no-decision in Saturday's opener to improve to 9-5 on the year. She allowed just the five hits and struck out four without walking any for her ninth complete game of the season. She was supported by LMU's 10-hit attack, led at the top by Smith's 18th multi-hit game of the season, a 2-for-5 effort. Sarginson also had two hits, as did freshman Samantha Nelson. Senior Jennifer Nayudu (two hits and a walk) and junior Kylie Ahlo (three walks) each reached three times.

Jessica Lemmon (0-6) took the loss, allowing five runs (three earned) on nine hits while walking six over 6 1/3 innings. Maryanne Cronin supplied two of the Gaels' five hits.

Saint Mary's 3, LMU 1
Saint Mary's salvaged the series by scoring three times in the fifth to overcome a 1-0 deficit. Linton (5-5) stifled the Lions with a complete-game five-hitter, supported by Sabatini's two-run homer that put the Gaels up for good.

Game two started out as a pitcher's duel between LMU sophomore Dana Waldusky and Linton, with each giving up a total of just seven hits through the first 4 1/2 innings. Charpentier's two-out RBI single in the third put the Lions on the board, plating Nelson, who had singled earlier in the inning. LMU's defense then came to Waldusky's aid in the bottom of the frame to maintain the 1-0 advantage. With two outs and Amelia McIntosh on second, Kayla Gonzales singled up the middle. McIntosh was waved around third but Smith came up throwing, gunning out McIntosh by a mile at the plate to end the inning.

After LMU stranded a runner at third in the fourth, the Gaels threatened by putting their first two runners on in the home half of the fourth. Waldusky would pitch out of the jam, though, getting three straight outs hit to junior Sam Fischer at short.

LMU's lead would last into the fifth, when the Gaels finally got to Waldusky. With one out, McIntosh snuck one under the glove of Harman and Sabatini followed with her homer to left to put Saint Mary's on top. Waldusky exited after conceding a double to Gonzales and Michelle Mounts met freshman reliever Stevie Goldstein with a single to center, advancing to second while Gonzales held at third. A sacrifice fly to right by Cronin made it 3-1.

Immediately, LMU looked to strike back, with Fischer leading off the sixth with a single and Sarginson drawing a walk to put runners on first and second with no outs. After Harman just missed a double and a home run (both foul) before flying out to right, Linton got freshman Kathryn Dutton to ground into an inning-ending double play. The Gaels would turn another double play in the seventh to stymie any hopes of a Lion rally.

Waldusky (6-6) allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits in 4 1/3 innings to take the loss. Charpentier registered two of LMU's three hits.

LMU heads out on the road for the next two PCSC weekends. Next week, the Lions are in Santa Clara for noon doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday, followed by a trip to Sacramento State April 22-23.