RIVERSIDE, Calif. —
Avery Francis and
Taelor Walker delivered key hits in a three-run first inning Thursday night as LMU built a 5-run lead through the first two innings against California Baptist at John C. Funk Stadium.The Lions eventually ended up defeating the Lancers 6-1.
Francis singled up the middle to open the game and came around to score on Walker's RBI single down the left field line. Walker and Izzy Jamgotchian both scored later in the frame on Mina Lei Tala's two-run single to center.
The Lions (6-1) tacked on two more in the second, including an RBI walk by Jamgotchian and a sacrifice fly from Sydney Poole. Walker added another run in the seventh on an error.
LMU starting pitcher Lindsay O'Dell scattered six hits through seven innings, allowing just one run in the fifth when Malachy Russell-Millen scored on a wild pitch after hitting a triple. The performance continued O'Dell's impressive start to the season, through 23.1 innings pitched, she has surrendered only that single run.
CBU (3-3) managed six hits but left six runners on base. Kenzie Farrier-Pilon went 2-for-4 with a double, while Matti Severns and Madalyn Martin each reached base twice for the Lancers.
Maurice Nava took the loss for CBU, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits over 1.1 innings before giving way to Emily Darwin.
The Lions will be back in action twice on Friday. LMU will face Utah State at 11:15 a.m. (PT) before turning around and facing Cal State Bakersfield at 2:00 p.m.
