PALM SPRINGS– The Loyola Marymount University softball team (5-7) started off day two of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic against the Baylor Bears, taking a close lose after rallying back, 7-4, but would then almost pitch a shutout against the Iowa State Cyclones, defeating them, 4-1.
The Lions were in a tight match with the Bears in the first two innings, 0-0, as LMU looked to pick up their first victory of their 5-game series at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.
The first three innings were close, as nor the Lions or the Bears allowed any hits or runs. The Bears were able to get on the board in the third inning with a homerun to make the score, 1-0. The Lions were not able to respond as the Bears took the momentum into the fourth inning.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Bears scored off a ground out to shortstop to increase the lead, 2-0, and continued their run in the fifth and sixth innings to pull away with a 4-0 lead.
The Lions were not satisfied with that and showed no signs of giving up as they fought back point by point.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, LMU shifted momentum as
Andrea Gonzalez was able to produce a two RBI single off a forced error by the Bears.
Arianna Jaurequi would then follow up byt hitting a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Gonzalez to score from third base to make the score, 4-3.
The Lions were able to hold the Bears off in the top of the seventh and came back with a goal in the bottom of the inning. After getting two outs,
Morgan DeBord was not going out without a bang, hitting a solo home run to tie the score and force the game to extra innings.
The Bears would respond differently, getting two players on base and then hitting a three RBI homerun to seal the win.
The Lions finished the game with six total hits to the Bears, thirteen hits.
Morgan DeBord finished 2-4 at the plate, hitting a homerun and scoring two runs.
Savannah Hooks falls to 0-3 on the season, pitching 8.0 innings while allowing 13 hits and seven runs, producing three strikeouts.
In Game 2 against the Iowa State Cyclones, the Lions shot out like a cannon.
Jenna Perez pitched lights out for the Lions allowing no hits for six innings.
In the top of the third inning,
Val Pero hit a two RBI double to left center field, as
Andrea Gonzalez and
Alyssa Daniell scored the Lions first two runs.
Morgan DeBord would continue her amazing performance at the plate this season, bombing another homerun in the top of the fifth inning, bringing in Gonzalez for her second run on the evening.
The Lions went into the seventh inning, allowing no hits no runs, until the Cyclones were able to hit a RBI double to left field, ending Perez's no hitter and shut out, 4-1.
The Lions finished the game at the plate with eight total hits, compared to the Cyclones one.
Morgan DeBord went 2-4 at the plate, hitting her third homerun this season, and adding to her RBI total with two.
Alyssa Daniell went 2-3 at the plate tonight, hitting a double and scoring one of the Lions four runs.
Jenna Perez is now 2-3, as she pitched 7.0 innings, allowing one hits and one run, while producing eleven strikeouts.
The Lions will remain in Palm Springs for day three of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, as they will face Southern Utah at 11:30 a.m. PST, and UC Riverside at 2:00 p.m. PST.
