LOS ANGELES – The Loyola Marymount University softball team concluded its 2021 season on Saturday in a double-header against Saint Mary's College. The Lions split against the Gaels on day two, but still won the series 2-1. LMU capped off the day honoring its seniors, Marina Vitalich, Desiree Moreno, Molly Grumbo, Megan Martin and Mallory Eckroth. 
 
Coach Tairia Flowers on the seniors:
 
"Mallory Has Been leader and speaks up when needed. She mentors the other players, leads academically and cares about the program."
 
"Molly wants to compete every time she steps out on the field.  She has been a staple in the Lion lineup throughout her LMU career."
 
"Marina Is a talented pitcher. She did a great job of leading us in the circle this year. She Was consistent with the ball in her hand."
 
"Megan gave everything she had every day. She lived grit and helped in any and all aspects on and off the field."
 
"Des is a mentor leader. She brought her teammates along and always made them feel welcomed."
 
The Lions set the tone in game one in the bottom of the first inning, as Morgan DeBord, Molly Grumbo and Andrea Gonzalez were all walked.  DeBord scored when Megan Dedrick was walked, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead. 
 
The Lions carried their momentum into the bottom of the second, putting four runs on the board. Megan Martin singled and then Kat Hummer came in to pinch run. Allisha Marttinez singled, and then Alyssa Daniell singled. With bases loaded, DeBord reached on a fielding error to send Martinez and Hummer home. 
 
Grumbo then reached on a fielding error to send DeBord and Daniell home. The Lions closed out the second with a 5-0 lead. 
 
The Gaels answered back in the top of the fourth with two runs, but then the Lions added a run in the bottom of the fourth, as Gonzalez reached on a fielding error to send DeBord home. 
 
The Gaels put another run on the board in the top of the fifth. Up 6-2, Peyton Angulo homered in the bottom of the fifth to take a 7-2 lead. The Gaels added four runs in the top of the sixth, but they weren't able to tie things up with the Lions, closing out the game with a 8-7 win. 
 
Both the Lions and the Gaels had seven hits each. DeBord went 1-2 at the plate. DeBord, Grumbo and Gonzalez all had two RBIs each. Moreno led in putouts with six. 
 
Eckroth pitched 5.0 innings, and allowed six hits and five runs. She had one strikeout. Alessandra Samperio picked up the win after pitching 2.0 innings and allowing one hit and two runs. 
 
Up 1-0 on the day, the Lions weren't able to keep up the momentum, as they dropped their second game of the day 5-2. 
 
Martin hit a homerun in the bottom of the second, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead. DeBord scored in the bottom of the third after a single from Gonzalez. 
 
The Gaels scored in the third, fourth and sixth innings to close out the game with the win. 
 
Martin went 1-1 at the plate, while Daniell went 2-3. Grumbo led in putouts with seven. 
 
Vitalich picked up the loss after pitching 6.2 innings, allowing five hits and five runs. Paulina Johnson pitched 0.1 innings, allowing zero hits and zero runs. 
 
The Lions conclude their 2021 season with a 22-21 record, which lands them second in the West Coast Conference.