LOS ANGELES, Calif., The Loyola Marymount softball team (23-14) swept Cal Baptist in its double-header on Tuesday, as the Lions closed out one of their last non-conference games with two 3-2 wins over the Lancers. 
 
"What I really like about our performance today was our grittiness, that is what it is going to take for us to win our conference this year," said head coach Sami Strinz-Ward. "It is just clawing, scraping, scratching and finding ways to get it done. I thought we really did that today, hopefully that gives us some belief moving forward that we are going to make this happen." 
 
The Lions got off to a slow start in their first game, as the Lancers put the first run on the board after a homerun. It wasn't until the fifth inning that the Lions responded, putting three runs on the board. 
 
Molly Grumbo advanced to first base after being hit by the pitch, which was then followed by a double from Irma Sanchez that advanced Grumbo to third. A foul from Andrea Gonzalez would send Grumbo home, tying things up with the Lancers. 
 
Megan Dedrick hit a single, which was followed with Riley Ehlen getting hit by the pitch. With bases loaded, Delanie reached first base on an error and then advanced to second, sending Dedrick and Sanchez home, giving the Lions the lead. 
 
Up 3-1, Cal Baptist put one more run on the board in the top of the seventh inning, but it wasn't enough to win the game, as the Lions came out on top 3-2. 
 
The Lions had seven total hits compared to the Lancer's two. Sanchez and Dedrick both went 2-3 at the plate, while Desiree Moreno and Delanie Wisz went 1-3. 
 
Samantha Manti pitched a complete game and only allowed five hits and two runs, while having six strikeouts. Manti picked is now 10-4 on the season. 
 
The Lions had another slow start in game two, as the Lancers scored on run in the third inning and one run in the fourth. 
 
In the bottom of the seventh, the momentum shifted, as the Lions came back to win the game. Sierra Marshall reached first on a fielder's choice, followed by a single from Megan Martin. A double from Grumbo advanced Marshall home. Continuing the momentum, Sanchez hit a single to send Haley Jackson home, who pinch ran for Marshall. 
 
With Grumbo at third, Gonzalez hit a single to send that sent her home and to win the game 3-2. 
 
LMU had nine hits compared to Cal Baptist's four. Wisz went 3-2 at the plate, while Grumbo and Sanchez went 2-4 and Dedrick and Martin went 1-3. 
 
Linnay Wilson pitched 3.1 innings, allowing four hits and two runs. Hannah Bandimere came in and pitched 3.2 scoreless, hitless innings to earn her 10^thwin of the season. 
 
"I thought our pitchers did a good job keeping us in the games," said Ward. "Sam did a really nice job in the first game, she gave us a chance to win. Linnay and Hannah did a nice job in the second game." 

The Lions will open up conference play next weekend against BYU.