LONG BEACH, CA - The Lions opened the Louisville Slugger Invitational with a split performance, securing a 2-1 victory over the Omaha Mavericks before falling 6-2 to the Utah Tech Trailblazers.

Game One:

Both teams remained scoreless through four innings as offense was hard to come by. Justine Lambert provided an early spark for LMU, reaching base twice, but the Lions couldn't convert in the early frames.

Omaha broke through in the fifth with a solo home run to take a 1-0 lead. LMU responded in the sixth when Sakora Harvell's sacrifice fly tied the game at 1-1. Shortly after, Jaida Fulcher drove in the go-ahead run, putting the Lions ahead.

Holding a 2-1 lead, LMU's defense stood strong in the seventh. Omaha threatened with a runner in scoring position, but the Lions closed it out to secure the win.

Lambert finished with two hits, while Fulcher's clutch RBI single made the difference. Jessica Hubbard delivered a stellar performance, allowing just four hits and striking out seven in the victory.

Game Two:

LMU applied early pressure against Utah Tech, loading the bases in the first inning after walks by Izzy Jamgotchian, Mika Chong, and Arianna Jaurequi. However, a pop-up ended the threat, leaving three runners stranded.

Utah Tech took control in the second inning with a two-run triple. The Lions answered in the third when Sydney Poole walked, followed by a Jamgotchian single. After a few runners advanced, Jaurequi drove in Poole cutting the deficit to 2-1.

The Trailblazers responded immediately, tacking on a run in the third before adding two more in the fourth to extend their lead to 6-1.

LMU continued to battle, scoring again in the fifth, thanks to Meeya Johnson, but could no longer score for the remainder of the game.

The Lions return to action tomorrow at 7 PM against the Pittsburgh Panthers in Long Beach, CA.