Final Stats

FULLERTON, Calif. - In its opening day of the 2017 season, the LMU softball team split its first pair of games Friday at the Easton Invitational.

LMU (1-1) used an early three-run lead to run away with a 5-2 victory over North Dakota State (0-1) before falling to Ole Miss (1-0), 2-0, in the nightcap.

LMU 5, North Dakota State 2

LMU wasted no time getting on the board in the bottom of the first as Amanda Dirks reached on a fielder's choice and Alicia Brown walked to put two aboard with two down. Alex Finie roped a bases-clearing double to put LMU ahead, 2-0, after one inning complete.

Taylor Lockwood put the Lions up 3-0 the following frame on an RBI infield single, plating Aria Pogni.

North Dakota State got on the board in the bottom half of the second and tabbed another run in the third, cutting LMU's advantage to 4-3.

However, LMU tallied two more runs in the top of the fifth as Mackenzie Kutzke worked a bases-loaded walk, and Pogni drove in another.

Andy Wellins tallied two innings of relief on the mound to pick up the save to preserve the win for Rachael Farrington.

Ole Miss 2, LMU 0

The Lions were knotted in a pitchers duel in the opening day finale against the Rebels. LMU mustered one hit, a single the center field from Brown, while Hannah Bandimere tossed six innings and struck out five.

Ole Miss broke the stalemate in the bottom of the third on a solo home run and manufactured another in the fourth.

Inside the Box Score

LMU tallied its second straight year of winning its first game of the season, marking the first time since 2001-02 the Lions accomplished the feat.

Kutze reached base four times on the day, tallying two walks, a hit and was hit by a pitch.

Lindsey Matoi posted a team-best two hits on the day.

The Lions defense left a combined 19 runners between North Dakota State and Ole Miss stranded on base, while the Lions left just nine runners on base.

UP NEXT

The Lions will resume action at the Easton Invitational tomorrow as it plays a 2:30 p.m. contest with Utah State.

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