STANFORD, Calif., -- The Loyola Marymount University softball team fell in its first two games in its three-game series against Stanford on Saturday, as the Lions fell 3-0 in the first game, and then fell 11-3 in the second game. 
 
The Cardinals put two runs on the board in the bottom of the first, and then put their third run on the board in the bottom of the sixth. The Lions had three hits, but no runs.
 
Molly Grumbo, Megan Dedrick and Alyssa Daniell all went 1-3 at the plate. Desiree Moreno led in putouts with seven.
 
Marina Vitalich pitched 6.0 innings, allowing five hits and three runs, while also collecting four strikeouts. 
 
Down 1-0 on the day, the Lions had another tough game against Stanford, as the Cardinals set the tone, putting two runs on the board in the bottom of the first, one in the second and one in the bottom of the fourth. 
 
The Lions answered back in the top of the fifth, starting with a single from Dedrick, who then advanced to second and then third after Andrea Gonzalez reached on a fielder's choice, and then advanced on the throw. Dedrick then scored when Allisha Martinez grounded out. 
 
Gonzalez put another run on the board after a sacrifice bunt from Amanda Treatch. Stanford responded, adding three more runs in the bottom of the fifth. 
 
The Lions put one more run on the board in the top of the sixth when Grumbo singled, and then advanced when Moreno grounded out and then stole third. Grumbo made it home after a single from Dedrick. 
 
The Cardinals added four more runs in the bottom of the sixth, to put them ahead by eight runs, which closed out the game in the bottom of the sixth. 
 
The Lions had five total hits, while Grumbo went 2-3 at the plate. Taylor Keinath led the team in putouts with five. 
 
Paulina Johnson picked up the loss for the Lions, as she pitched 1.1 innings, allowed two hits and three runs. Alessandra Samperio pitched 4.1 innings, allowed nine hits and seven runs, while Mallory Eckroth pitched 0.0 innings, allowing two hits and one run. 
 
The Lions will conclude their series against Stanford on Sunday at noon.