March 15, 2015 LMU vs Sac State Box Score
LMU vs. Grand Canyon Box Score
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SACRAMENTO - Taking advantage of a Sacramento State error and a pair of solo home runs, the LMU softball team held on for a 3-1 win over the host Hornets on the final day of play at the Capital Classic. LMU finished with a split on the day, dropping a 7-3 decision to Grand Canyon.
In the day's opener, Stephanie Maciel would start the first inning with a one-out single to short. A ground out moved the junior to second and a fielding error by Sacramento State's second baseman on the ensuing play allowed Maciel to cross home plate.
With the Lions (12-19) still leading 1-0, Courtney Moore led off the fifth with a solo home run to left center and, with two outs, Maciel knocked one out of the park herself to make it 3-0.
Looking to rally, Sacramento State would get one run back in the bottom of the seventh with a two-out RBI single by Zamari Hinton, but LMU pitcher Rachael Farrington would close things out with a ground out to end the inning and the game.
Farrington (8-9) went seven complete innings, fanning three and scattering eight hits and one walk for one earned run.
Fielding errors would hurt the Lions in their final game of the weekend as only one of Grand Canyon's seven runs was earned.
LMU scored first in the game, posting a three-run second on a Moore two-RBI double to right center and an Alex Finie RBI-single to center.
But things would unfold in the field in the fourth as an error went on to allow the Lopes' to score three unearned runs. The Lions committed two more errors in the fifth as Grand Canyon pushed four runs across the plate.
Stephanie Crist (3-7) took the loss in the circle for LMU. She struck out two, walked one and gave up four hits in 4.1 innings. Farrington tossed the final 2.2 innings.
A weeklong home stand awaits the Lions as 20 games will be contested on LMU's Smith Field from Tuesday, March 17 through Monday, March 23. The Lions will play in eight of those game, beginning Tuesday against Iona at noon and Fairleigh Dickinson at 2 p.m. The LMU/Muscle Milk Invitational begins Thursday, March 19. Tickets are on sale now for the tournament by clicking here.
