FULLERTON, Calif., -- The Loyola Marymount softball team fell in its first two games of the Judi Garman Classic, hosted by Cal State Fullerton on Thursday night, as the team lost to No. 22 Auburn 9-2 and Fresno State 4-1.
 
The Lions (7-7) got off to a slow start in their first game against Auburn, as the Tigers scored four runs by the fifth inning, and then scored five runs in the seventh inning. The Lions responded, but it wasn't enough to compete with the Tigers. 
 
Down 9-0 in the seventh inning, Molly Grumbo walked, which was followed by a homerun from Riley Ehlen, giving her and Grumbo a run, resulting in two RBI's for Ehlen. The two runs weren't enough, as the Lions struck out, falling 9-2 to the Tigers. 
 
Ehlen and Maddison Flores went 1-3, while Grumbo went 1-2. The Lions had three total hits compared to the Tigers' 13. 
 
Linnay Wilson pitched 5.1 innings and allowed nine hits and seven runs, while Samantha Manti (2-3) pitched 1.1 innings and allowed three hits and two runs. Manti got the loss. Mallory Eckroth made her first debut of the season, pitching .1 innings and allowing one hit. 
 
The Lions finished the first day of the tournament against Fresno State, where the Lions battled, but couldn't hold on. 
 
The Bulldogs got their first run in the second inning, and then got their second in the fourth. Down 2-0 in the fourth, Ehlen advanced because of a fielding error, and then advanced to second after a groundout from Flores.
 
Taylor Keinath hit a single that gave Ehlen a run, resulting in an RBI and the team's first and only run of the game.  
 
Hannah Bandimere (5-4) pitched seven straight innings, allowing nine hits and four runs. 
 
Andrea Gonzalez and Keinath went 1-3, while Irma Sanchez went 1-4. The Lions had three total hits compared to Fresno State's nine. 
 
The Lions will be back in action Saturday morning to take on New Mexico at 9:00 a.m.