LOS ANGELES Calif., -- The Loyola Marymount softball team was picked to finish second in the conference by the league's head coaches, announced by the West Coast Conference on Wednesday. 
 
"We are looking forward to the opportunity to earn the WCC title by taking care of business during conference play this year," said head coach Sami Strinz-Ward. "We have several returning players that are well motivated based on us coming up short last year. We welcome the challenge." 
 
LMU tallied up 22 votes, falling second to BYU's 24. The Lions head into the 2019 season as 2018 National Invitational Softball Champions, as the team swept UC Riverside in two games, (2-0, 5-0) to take the title. 
 
The postseason NICS Champions were led by WCC Coach of the Year Sami Strinz-Ward, who coached the team to its first postseason stint and longest winning streak since 2007, as the team compiled a 34-24-1 record, while going 11-3 in conference play. The Lions finished second in the conference to BYU. 
 
LMU returns five starters this season, including 2019 Preseason ALL-WCC Softball Team, Andrea Gonzalez and 2019 Preseason All-WCC Softball Team pitcher Hannah Bandimere. 
 
Gonzalez finished her freshman season with a team-high of 53 hits, including two doubles and four homeruns, while compiling a 23 RBI. 
 
Bandimere topped off her junior season as the first Lion to be named Pitcher of the Year, as she led the league with an ERA of 2.03 and went 24-12. 
 
"It's nice to see Hannah and Drea earn some preseason recognition, but I know their goals are larger than that and this will help to continue to motivate them," said Strinz-Ward. 
 
The Lions will kick off their season at the Cal State Fullerton Classic starting February 8. The team's first game will be against Utah State, following with Idaho State, Northwestern and Buffalo.