FULLERTON, Calif., -- The Loyola Marymount University softball player
Linnay Wilson has led the Lions to their second upset of the Judi Garman Classic on Friday, as the team beat No. 13 Michigan on day two of the tournament in Fullerton, Calif. This is the first time in program history the Lions have beat two top 15 opponents in one season.
"We have a real special team here and they are starting to see what they are capable of," said head coach
Sami Strinz-Ward. "Linnay had another gutsy performance and our defense was excellent today. I was pleased with the at bats that we worked, and Molly clutched up with the single and two RBIs."
The Lions opened up against the Wolverines coming off of an upset against No. 4 LSU on Thursday, where the Wilson and the Lions didn't allow a single run from the Tigers.
Michigan scored their first and only run of the game in the bottom of the first. The Lions quickly answered back in the top of the second.
Riley Ehlen set the tone when she singled up the middle, and then advanced to second after
Lauryn Garcia reached on a throwing error by the short stop.
Ehlen advanced to third and Garcia advanced to second after Morgan Debord was hit by the pitch.
With bases loaded,
Molly Grumbo hit a single up center field, sending Ehlen and Garcia home and giving the Lions a 2-1 lead.
Both teams went scoreless for the remainder of the game, handing the Lions their second upset in two days.
Molly Grumbo,
Andrea Gonzalez and Ehlen all went 1-3 at the plate. Grumbo collected two RBIs. The Lions had three total hits, compared to Michigan's seven. Both teams had one error.
Wilson (5-3) pitched a complete game, giving up seven hits and one run, while collecting one strikeout.
Up next: The Lions will be back in action on Saturday at the Judi Garman Classic to play Cal Poly and Boise State. Boise State is 1-0 at the Judi Garman Classic and is 10-6 on the season, while Cal Poly has gone 1-1 and is 10-6 on the season.