LOS ANGELES – The Lions fell short to the Army Black Knight, 6-5, and the Lehigh Mountain Hawks, 5-4, Friday on day one of the LMU Invitational.
Game 1:
The first two innings were quiet, with neither team generating much action. The game picked up in the third when the Black Knights broke through with three runs. LMU had a chance to respond in the bottom half but managed only to walk before going down in order.
In the fourth, Lindsey O'Dell entered in relief of
Jessica Hubbard, hoping to contain the Black Knights. However, Army wasted no time, launching a solo home run on the first play to extend their lead to 4-0.
Army added two more runs in the fifth, but LMU fought back in the bottom half.
Justine Lambert drew a walk and advanced to third on a wild pitch before
Arianna Jaurequi ripped an RBI double to put the Lions on the board. With two outs,
Izzy Jamgotchian stepped up and smashed a two-run homer, cutting the deficit to 6-3.
LMU's defense held strong in the top of the sixth, keeping the Black Knights from adding to their lead. In the bottom half,
Jaida Fulcher came in to pinch hit and laced a double, putting runners on second and third. Lambert followed with a clutch two-run double, bringing LMU within one. However, the Lions' rally came up just short, as back-to-back strikeouts ended the game.
Game 2:
The Lions got on the board early when Jamgotchian singled, sending Jaurequi back home and putting the Lions up one.
Lehigh capitalized on an early mistake by putting runs on the board at the top of the fourth. The Mountain Hawks scored twice and took the lead from the Lions.
Lehigh kept the momentum, scoring another run in the fifth, but the Lions followed when
Cristina Jones singled, advancing
Analiah Lummus back home. Jones also brought it back home a few plays later, tying the score, 3-3.
The Mountain Hawks added two more runs to their score, hoping to get away from the Lions, but the Lions didn't give up. At the bottom of the seventh,
Jasmine Sofowora hit a home run, giving LMU hope for a comeback, but unfortunately, the came up short and Lehigh would win the game.
The Lions next game is tomorrow against No. 2 Oklahoma at Smith Field at 3 PM.
