LOS ANGELES Calif., -- The Loyola Marymount softball team beat San Diego State in its home-opener Tuesday afternoon, as the Lions came out on top, 2-1. 
 
"I was really pleased with how our pitchers threw today," said head coach Sami Strinz-Ward.  "Hannah did a good job starting the game and I was really impressed with the way Linnay came in and shut it down and attacked their hitters, that was a difference maker for us today. It is nice to get an early lead, we just need to do a better job of being consistent offensively and continuing to put pressure on the other team, that is what our focus is right now." 
 
The Lions (7-5) set the tone early on, as Andrea Gonzalez hit a single, which was quickly followed by a sacrifice bunt from Kaley Robinson, advancing Gonzalez to second base. 
 
Molly Grumbo knocked the ball out of Smith Field for a homerun, which also sent Gonzalez home, giving Grumbo two RBIs. The Lions went scoreless the rest of the innings. 
 
It wasn't until the sixth inning until the Aztecs put an unearned run on the board, which wasn't enough to win the game, giving the Lions their first home win of the season. 
 
Hannah Bandimere (5-3) pitched five innings, allowing one run and three hits, giving her the win. Linnay Wilson pitched the last two innings, resulting in her first save of the season, as she only allowed two hits and zero runs. 
 
Gonzalez, Grumbo and Riley Ehlen all went 1-3, while Taylor Keinath went 1-2. 
 
The Lions had four hits and two errors, compared to the Aztecs' five hits and zero errors. This is the first time LMU has beat SDSU since 1997. 
 
The Lions will be back in Fullerton for the second time this season to play in the Judi Garman Classic. The team will take on Auburn, Fresno State, UCLA, New Mexico and CSUN.