Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 TUCSON – The Loyola Marymount University softball team (3-5) started off day two of the 2022 Hillenbrand Invitational with a victory over UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, 6-2. However, the Lions fell short against No.9 ranked Arizona Wildcats in the final inning, 3-4.
 
The Lions were able to use momentum into last night's win to take advantage of the early morning match with the Gauchos.  
 
In the second inning, Arianna Jaurequi bombed an RBI double to center field, as Andrea Gonzalez was able to score the first run for the Lions. The Lions defense and pitching was phenomenal as Jessica Hubbard was able to hold the Gauchos to no hits in the first three innings.
 
In the top of the fourth inning, Alyssa Daniell hit a double to right center, as Madalie Gomez was able to score for the Lions, making the score, 2-0. Later in the inning Sierra Marshall hit a precise bunt to bring in the Lions third run of the morning.
 
The Lions held an 3-0 lead headed into the bottom of the fifth before allowing UCSB to score their first run, decreasing the lead to just two points.  
 
Top of the seventh inning, Jasmine Sofowora was able to use a sacrifice fly out to bring in Sydney Poole to make the score, 4-1. Georgia Blair would then drive a 2 RBI home run to left field as the Lions were able to seal the deal after holding the Gauchos to one more run, finish the game with the score, 6-2.
 
The Lions finished the game with ten total hits to the Gauchos, five hits. Sierra Marshall went 2-4 at the plate, scoring one run. Georgia Blair also went 2-4 at the plate, scoring 2 RBIs with two hits and one home run.
 
Jessica Hubbard is now 2-0, pitching 6.1 innings, allowing four hits and two runs while producing three strikeouts. Paulina Johnson also pitched 0.2 innings allowing zero hits and runs to close out the game.
 
In Game 2, the Lions came fell behind early in the first three innings, as the Arizona Wildcats hit a 2 RBI homerun to the bottom of the first inning and score another run on a sacrifice fly out in the third.
 
In the fourth inning, Alyssa Daniell darted a home run to right field to cut the lead down, 3-1.
 
The Lions were determined to come back against the No. 9 ranked Wildcats. In the top of the sixth inning, batted in an RBI off a single to the shortstop. Megan Dedrick would then still third base to score the game tying run.
 
With the score, 3-3, headed in the final inning, the Lions were not able to get the job done at the plate. The Wildcats were able to score the walk-off run on a sacrifice fly out to left field, winning the game, 3-4.

The Lions finished the game at the plate with eleven total hits, compared to the Wildcats four. Morgan DeBord and Val Pero both went 2-4 at the plate. Alyssa Daniell recorded her second home run on the season.

Jenna Perez is now 1-2, as she pitched 5.2 innings, allowing two hits and two runs, while producing six strikeouts. Jessica Hubbard pitched 0.1 innings, allowing one hit and one run.
 
The Lions will remain in Tucson for day three of the 2022 Hillenbrand Invitational, as they will face UC Santa Barbara again tomorrow, Feb 20., 12:00 p.m. PST.