March 31, 2012
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
Los Angeles, Calif.--
After a tough and slow start, dropping the first game of conference play, the Lions (23-12) came roaring back with an 11-3 five inning win over Santa Clara.
Game 1 LMU, 2 Santa Clara, 6
The Lions got off the a rocky start as Santa Clara recorded five consecutive hits, including two, two run homers to start off the first inning, putting the Broncos up 5-0 after just half an inning. Junior RHP Molly Medeiros, in her first appearance since March 14th, went 0.2 innings, giving up four hits and five earned runs before junior Dana Waldusky came in for relief. Waldusky was able to get the Lions out of the first without any more runs scored.
Bats began to come alive late in the second inning as Skylar Segura and Kathryn Dutton recorded base hit singles to put runners in scoring position. Sophomore Meghan Harman, who had been struggling to connect with the ball in the last few weeks, stepped up and connected on a first pitch fast ball up the middle to drive in the Lion's first run.
Santa Clara continued to dominate offensively in the top of the fourth inning as the Bronco's Jamie Wallis hit a solo home run over the centerfield wall, recording the Broncos sixth run and third home run of the day.
Harman continued to keep the Lions in the game as she recorded her second double of the year with a line drive down the right field line, but the Lions were unable to convert any of the runners into runs.
Leading off in the bottom of the fifth, senior Sam Fischer finally earned an at bat, lifting the ball high over the right fielder but just missed the wall. With Fischer in scoring position at second base, Olivia Alvarez drilled a one hop shot to the right fielder, bring home Fischer and giving the Lions their second run.
Fischer's defense was to the highest caliber as she closed out the second inning with two key fielding plays as she had two solid scoop ups with quick releases, sending Sarginson at first base rocker throws to beat the runner and get the outs.
Unfortunately the Lions were unable to connect their base runners to runs as they dropped the first game of conference season, 6-2. Medeiros (14-6) got the loss for the Lions. Waldusky was able to record three strikeouts in six innings.
Game 2 LMU, 11 Santa Clara, 3 (5)
What started out as a replay of the first game, the Broncos hit the scoreboard first with a solo home run shot by Briana Knight, changed quickly as LMU's offense kicked into overdrive.
In the bottom of the second with two outs and one runner on first, junior Skylar Segura, who has been having a breakout season offensively, sent the ball sailing over the center field wall, recording her first career home run, giving the Lions a 2-1 lead.
The Lions broke the game open in the third inning. The hits kept on coming as Sterling Shuster lined the ball to left field to get things going for the Lions in the third inning. After intentionally walking Fischer, Kathryn Dutton pushed Broncos pitcher Briana Rios to the limit by connecting and driving in both Shuster and Fischer, putting the Lions up 4-1. Senior Brittany Pereda continued on the Lion's offensive streak by driving in two runs on a double to center field. As Ahlo entered the game to pinch run for Pereda, the speedster was able to capitalize on back to back wild pitches by Bronco pitcher Jessica Turner to drive in one more unearned run for the Lions. After going through the entire batting order, Shuster continued where she had left off, recording another base hit, this time up the middle, her second of the inning. Designated player Olivia Alvarez, who reached on an error her first time up to bat in the third inning, was able to drive in two more runs for the Lions off a fly ball that landed right between the third baseman and left fielder. As Segura lined out to left field, the Lions ended an inning that brought in nine runs, seven runs coming with two outs and only two of the nine runs total were earned. The Lions led 11-1.
Stevie Goldstein (1-1) earned her first win of the season as well as her first complete game.
The Lions continue this four game series with Santa Clara, Sunday, April 1 with games at 10am and 12pm.
--GO LIONS--
