LOS ANGELES, Calif.,-- The Loyola Marymount softball team will make its 2019 season debut this weekend at the Cal State Fullerton Titan Classic, where the Lions will play four different teams across a three-day stretch. 
 
"We are eager to face competition other than ourselves," said head coach Sami Strinz-Ward. "Our women have been putting in some good work so this weekend provides us an opportunity to test where we're at, so we can learn where our next adjustments and improvements will be. We are looking forward to getting a chance to compete!" 

The Lions will head into the Titan Classic coming off of an incredible 2018 season, as they took the NISC Championship title, which was led by West Coast Conference Coach of the Year award winner, Strinz-Ward. 
 
Madison Flores was named 2018 Defensive Player of the Year and All-WCC Second Team, while Hannah Bandimere was named Co-Pitcher of the Year as well as All-WCC First Team. 
 
LMU was picked to finish second in the WCC Preseason Poll, while Andrea Gonzalez was named to the 2019 Preseason All-WCC Softball Team and Bandimere was named to the 2019 Preseason All-WCC Softball Pitching Team. 
 
The Lions boast 10 newcomers this season, including seven freshman and three transfers. Bandimere and Irma Sanchez are the team's only seniors. 
 
The Lions will play their first game on Friday against Utah State, starting at 3:30 p.m., followed by a game against Idaho State at 6:00 p.m. LMU will be back in action Saturday to take on Northwestern at 3:00 p.m. and will close out the weekend against Buffalo on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. The games will be played at Anderson Family Field in Fullerton, Calif. 
 
More information on the tournament can be found here. 
 
The Lions' game against Northwestern will be broadcast here.