RIVERSIDE, Calif., -- The Loyola Marymount University softball team picked up its second shutout of the season, behind pitcher Marina Vitalich, beating UC Riverside 5-0 in its first game of the series on Saturday afternoon. 
 
The Lions set the tone in the top of the first, when Megan Dedrick was walked, and then scored after a double from Desiree Moreno. With Moreno on second, Peyton Angulo singled, sending Moreno home, giving the Lions a 2-0 lead to close out the top of the first. 
 
The team went quietly until the top of the fourth, when the Lions put another run on the board after Morgan DeBord singled to left field, and the advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Allisha Martinez. DeBord then scored after a double from Alyssa Daniell. 
 
The Lions added two more runs in the top of the sixth, starting with a single to shortstop from Andrea Gonzalez. With Gonzalez on first, DeBord hit a triple, adding another run for the Lions. With DeBord on third, Martinez then tripled to send DeBord home, giving the Lions a 5-0 advantage. 
 
Both teams went quietly in the seventh inning, giving the Lions a 5-0 shutout against the Highlanders. 
 
The Lions had nine total hits, compared to the Highlanders' three. Martinez went 2-2 at the plate and collected one RBI, while DeBord, went 2-3. DeBord and Martinez also both had triples, while Moreno and Daniell both had doubles. Molly Grumbo led the team in putouts with 10. 
 
Marina Vitalich pitched a complete game and only allowed three hits and had nine strikeouts. She did not allow a single run, marking her second shutout of the season. 
 
The Lions will be back on the field on Sunday for a double-header against the Highlanders, with the first game starting at noon.