Box Score

PROVO, Utah â€" This weekend's regular season-ending softball series between the Loyola Marymount Lions (28-23-1, 11-3 WCC) and the BYU Cougars (35-20, 13-1 WCC) resulted in a two-game sweep for BYU, as the Cougars defeated the Lions in back-to-back games on Saturday afternoon. Both games were originally scheduled for Friday night, but were postponed due to rain. A third game was also scheduled for today, but both teams decided against playing after the conclusion of the first two contests. LMU and BYU entered the series tied for first place in the WCC, both standing at 11-1 in conference play before going head-to-head.

LMU led for most of Game 1 after taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on a two-run homer by junior Alicia Brown, scoring herself and Andrea Gonzalez who got the first Lions hit of the game with a single to left center. Brown's homer moved her into a tie for ninth place on LMU softball's all-time home run list as she now has 24 in her career.

The Cougars scored one run in the bottom of the second as Caitlyn Alldredge singled to center field to secure the RBI and Alexa Strid rounded home, cutting into the Lions' lead.

LMU maintained its 2-1 lead until the bottom of the sixth, when BYU hit back-to-back home runs to take a 3-2 edge. Strid nailed the first solo shot to center field and Madison Merrell followed up with another to left. The Lions were unable to score in the top of the seventh and the Cougars ran away with the 3-2 win to go up 1-0 in the series and snap LMU's 10-game winning streak. Hannah Bandimere pitched a complete game in the loss.

BYU started off Game 2 on a hot streak with three quick LMU outs in the top of the first followed by a three-run effort in the bottom of the second. The Cougars scored their first run of the game on a throwing error by pitcher Linnay Wilson. Briielle Breland scored next on an RBI single to right field by Libby Sugg and Lexi Tarrow scored the final run of the inning on an error by Delanie Wisz at first base.

The second inning was scoreless, and the Cougars punched in another run on a fly out in the bottom of the third to go up 4-0. LMU still couldn't get on the board in the top of the fourth, and a pair of Cougars' doubles in the fifth allowed for another run, making it 5-0.

LMU was once again held scoreless in the top of the fifth. BYU continued its dominance in the bottom of the inning, nailing a solo shot to right field to extend the Cougars' lead to 6-0. BYU went on to score two runs in the bottom of the sixth to end the game early due to the mercy rule, securing an 8-0 shutout victory. Freshman pitcher Linnay Wilson finished with four strikeouts.

The Lions finished the 2018 season with an overall record of 28-23-1 including 11-3 in conference play. LMU went 16-11 at home, 8-4 on the road and 4-8-1 in neutral site games. The Lions had a successful campaign with several highlights, including securing the program's first 10-game winning streak since 2007.

Due to the team's success this regular season, LMU has a chance for 2018 postseason action. Stay tuned at lmulions.com and on twitter at the handle @LMUSoftball for updates and details.