LOS ANGELES – The Loyola Marymount University softball team (8-8) run ruled UC Santa Barbara on Friday afternoon at Smith Field, 10-2, closing out the game in the middle of the fifth inning. 
 
The teams opened up the first inning to a quiet start, as neither team scored a run. The Lions made some noise in the bottom of the second, starting with a double from Andrea Gonzalez, who then advanced to third on a passed ball. Allisha Martinez then hit a single to send Gonzalez home, putting the Lions on the board. 
 
With Martinez on first, Megan Dedrick hit a homerun, to give LMU a 3-0 lead. 
 
The Gauchos responded in the top of the third with two runs, but then the Lions answered back with three more runs in the bottom of the third.
 
With bases loaded and Peyton Angulo on third, Gonzalez on second and Molly Grumbo on third, Martinez doubled to collect three RBIs, sending everyone on base home. 
 
Up 6-2, the Lions continued their momentum in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Grumbo collected an RBI off of a single when Desiree Moreno made it home, while Gonzalez advanced to third. Grumbo then advanced to third, which sent Gonzalez home off of a wild pitch. Martinez collected her fifth RBI after a single that sent Grumbo home. 
 
The Lions had seven total hits, compared to the Gauchos eight. Gonzalez and Martinez both went 2-3 at the plate, while Grumbo and Moreno both went 1-2. 
 
Martinez dominated in RBIs with five, while Dedrick had two. Moreno led the team in putouts with 11. 
 
Paulina Johnson picked up her third win of the season, as she pitched five innings, allowed six hits and only two runs. 
 
The Lions will be back on the field on Saturday for their double-header against UNLV.