LOS ANGELES - The Lions dominated their season opener, defeating the Southern Jaguars 12-2 on Thursday afternoon.

Jessica Hubbard set the tone early, allowing just two hits and no runs in the top of the first inning. LMU's offense wasted no time, as Jasmine Sofowora led off with a single and later stole home to put the Lions on the board. Sakora Harvell followed with an RBI double to right center, and Kealani Caster capped off the explosive inning with a home run, giving LMU a 4-0 lead.

The momentum carried into the second inning when Izzy Jamgotchian crushed a three-run homer, pushing the Lions further ahead. In the third, after a quick pair of outs, Sofowora delivered again with a two-run shot to left field, extending LMU's advantage to 9-0.

Hubbard and the Lions' defense remained in control in the fourth, shutting down Southern's offense with three quick outs. LMU tacked on three more runs in the bottom half, stretching the lead to 12.

Southern managed to score two runs in the final inning, but with LMU far ahead, the mercy rule came into effect, sealing the Lions' dominant victory.

The Lions return to action tomorrow, facing Army and Lehigh at Smith Field.