Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 TUCSON – The Loyola Marymount University softball team (2-4) almost upset No. 16 ranked Kentucky Wildcats, but fell short, 7-6, in 8 innings. However, they took the frustration out on Long Beach State Tigers winning, 12-3. 
 
The Lions started off building the momentum in the first inning as Morgan DeBord doubled down left field line, allowing Megan Dedrick to score LMU's first run of the game.
 
The Wildcats were able to respond by scoring 3 RBIs in the bottom of the second inning to give them a 3-1 lead.
 
However, the Lions were just on fire today at the plate. DeBord drove a single right through center field as Sidney Poole scored.
 
With full bases, Dedrick was able to score again off a wild pitch, followed by another score by Madalie Gomez off a ground out by Georgia Blair.
 
Andrea Gonzalez also batted in an RBI off a single down left field line. This gave the Lions a 5-3 lead, off four total runs in the third inning.
 
The Lions held an 5-3 lead until the Wildcats hit double with a runner on base, which tied the game, 5-5, in the bottom of the fifth inning.
 
Headed into extra innings, the Lions kick-started the eighth inning with a line drive single to right field by Blair, with Val Pero scoring the run to give LMU the 6-5 lead.
 
The Wildcats were responsive again scoring another run on a sacrifice fly out, following a walk-off double to score the game winning run to close the game, 7-6.
 
In Game 2, the Lions came out strong as they were able to get points on the board immediately. Val Pero got things going for LMU, hitting a line drive single up the middle bringing in two runs.
 
With full bases at the bottom of the first with two outs, Andrea Gonzalez hit a grand slam down the left field line.
 
The Lions burst into the second inning with a 6-0 lead. In the bottom of the second it was the same scenario all over again with Morgan Debord at the plate. She bombs another grand slam for the Lions to right field, increasing the lead, 10-0.
 
The Lions were performing extremely well at the plate against the Tigers. In fact, we saw more action from LMU as Peyton Angulo started the bottom of the third with a home run to left field.
 
At the top of the fourth, the score was,11-0, and the Lions did not look back. However, the Tigers were able to respond with a 2 RBI home run to decrease the lead, 11-2.
 
In the meantime, the Lions were just on fire at the plate, scoring off a single through the left side from Georgia Blair.
 
The Lions were able to end the game with the mercy rule in the fifth inning winning, 12-3, after the Tigers scored another run on a mission to come back.  

The Lions finished the game 12-22 at the plate with ten total hits, compared to the Tigers seven. Morgan DeBord went 2-3 and recorded a 4 RBI grand slam, while Andrea Gonzalez went 1-2 at the plate, also drilling a 4 RBI grand slam. Sydney Poole also performed well at the plate, going 2-3 with two hits, while Peyton Angulo went 1-2 also and recorded her second home run on the season.
 
Savannah Hooks is now 0-2, as she pitched 4.0 innings against the Wildcats, allowing seven hits and five runs. Jenna Perez also pitched 3.2 innings, allowing three hits and two runs. Paulina Johnson is now 1-1, as she pitched 5.0 innings against the Tigers, allowing two hits and two runs, while producing two strikeouts. 
 
The Lions will remain in Tucson for the second day of the 2022 Hillenbrand Invitational, as they will face UC Santa Barbara and #9 Arizona, tomorrow, Feb 19., 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. PST.