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Avery Francis running off field

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Avery Francis Named WCC Defensive Player of the Year, Leads LMU’s Seven All-Conference Selections

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The Loyola Marymount softball team earned widespread recognition from the West Coast Conference, placing seven student-athletes on the All-Conference teams and three more on the All-Freshman Team. Leading the way for the Lions was Avery Francis, who was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Year, while also earning First Team All-Conference honors.


Defensive Player of the Year
Avery Francis, OF (Senior)
Francis anchored the Lions' outfield with a flawless defensive season, starting all 52 games and recording 95 putouts with six assists on 101 total chances for a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. Her consistency, range, and reliability made her one of the premier defensive players in the conference.


All-Conference First Team
Avery Francis, OF (Senior)
In addition to her defensive honor, Francis put together an exceptional year at the plate, hitting .433 with a .467 on-base percentage. She totaled 78 hits, 41 runs scored, and 32 stolen bases while starting all 52 games and appearing in every contest for the Lions this season. Combined with her perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, Francis proved to be one of the most complete players in the conference.

Izzy Jamgotchian, C (Senior)
Jamgotchian, a four-time First Team selection, capped her career with one of the most dominant seasons in program history. She became LMU's all-time leader in both career RBIs (182) and career walks (126) while launching a career-best 21 home runs, the second-most in a single season in program history. A constant presence in the lineup, she started all 52 games, appearing in every game this season, and finished with a .301 batting average, .473 OBP, and .767 slugging percentage, driving in 57 runs. Behind the plate, she added a .997 fielding percentage with 260 putouts. She also earned both WCC Player of the Week and D1Softball Mid-Major Player of the Week honors during the season.

Justine Lambert, IF (Junior)
Lambert continued her strong play with another All-Conference selection, following up her sophomore campaign with a .391 batting average across 50 games. She recorded 54 hits, 29 runs, and 13 stolen bases, serving as a consistent offensive presence for the Lions while earning WCC Player of the Week recognition during the season.

Rubi Lopez, UTL (Freshman)
Lopez made an immediate impact in her first collegiate season, batting .372 with a .413 on-base percentage and .442 slugging percentage. She totaled 32 hits, including two doubles and two triples, while driving in 14 runs. Defensively, she posted a .976 fielding percentage with 149 putouts, showcasing her versatility across multiple positions.


All-Conference Second Team
Lindsay O'Dell, P (Senior)
O'Dell anchored the pitching staff with a 2.86 ERA over 132 innings, recording 77 strikeouts and 15 wins across 39 appearances. She opened the season with back-to-back WCC Pitcher of the Week honors and finished the year with seven complete games and four saves, serving as the Lions' go-to arm throughout the season.

Sara Pinedo, P (Freshman)
Pinedo quickly established herself as a key contributor in the circle, posting a 2.44 ERA across 60.1 innings. She struck out 47 batters and went a perfect 6-0, highlighted by a shutout and steady performances in key moments throughout the season.

Taelor Walker, UTL (Freshman)
Walker turned in an impressive all-around freshman campaign, hitting .353 with 53 hits, 20 RBIs, and nine stolen bases. She added six doubles and three triples while maintaining a .986 fielding percentage, demonstrating her reliability and versatility on both sides of the ball.

All-Freshman Team
Mya Allen, OF (Freshman)
Allen provided a spark both offensively and defensively, batting .329 with 26 hits and 20 runs scored while adding eight stolen bases. In the outfield, she recorded a .983 fielding percentage with 58 putouts.

Rubi Lopez, UTL (Freshman)
Lopez's standout rookie season earned her recognition on both the All-Conference First Team and All-Freshman Team, highlighting her immediate impact as one of the conference's top newcomers.

Taelor Walker, UTL (Freshman)
Walker's dual honors on the All-Conference Second Team and All-Freshman Team further emphasize her consistency and value as a versatile contributor throughout the season.


With a conference-leading presence across the postseason awards, LMU's selections reflect the depth, consistency, and impact of this year's roster. The Lions closed the 2026 campaign with a 33-18 overall record and a 10-8 mark in WCC play, finishing third in the conference standings. Behind a veteran core, standout freshman contributions, and one of the league's top defensive units, LMU put together a season defined by balance, resilience, and high-level performance from start to finish.
 
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Players Mentioned

Avery Francis

#7 Avery Francis

OF
5' 7"
Senior
HS
Izzy Jamgotchian

#88 Izzy Jamgotchian

C
5' 5"
Senior
HS
Justine Lambert

#9 Justine Lambert

UTL
5' 9"
Junior
Lindsay O

#41 Lindsay O'Dell

P
Senior
HS
Mya Allen

#2 Mya Allen

OF
5' 0"
Freshman
Taelor Walker

#5 Taelor Walker

UTL
5' 8"
Freshman
Sara Pinedo

#24 Sara Pinedo

P
5' 8"
Freshman
Rubi Lopez

#33 Rubi Lopez

UTL
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Avery Francis

#7 Avery Francis

5' 7"
Senior
HS
OF
Izzy Jamgotchian

#88 Izzy Jamgotchian

5' 5"
Senior
HS
C
Justine Lambert

#9 Justine Lambert

5' 9"
Junior
UTL
Lindsay O

#41 Lindsay O'Dell

Senior
HS
P
Mya Allen

#2 Mya Allen

5' 0"
Freshman
OF
Taelor Walker

#5 Taelor Walker

5' 8"
Freshman
UTL
Sara Pinedo

#24 Sara Pinedo

5' 8"
Freshman
P
Rubi Lopez

#33 Rubi Lopez

Freshman
UTL