April 8, 2004

Box Score

LOS ANGELES - The Santa Clara University softball team dropped two Pacific Coast Softball Conference games to Loyola Marymount this afternoon at LMU Softball Field. Game scores were 5-3 and 5-0. The Broncos are now16-22 overall, 2-4 in league action, while the Lions improved to 22-8, 5-1.

Home runs played a factor in both contests. Lion Lisa Abbott hit a grand slam off Bronco pitcher Liz Courter in the fourth inning of the matinee. It was a line-drive shot to left center. Loyola Marymount earned a 1-0 lead in the first inning of the contest as Danielle Kaminaka hit a double and later scored on a wild pitch.

LMU pitcher Samantha Lavino allowed two hits for the complete game shutout, and did not allow a Bronco hit until the sixth inning. Jaime Forman-Lau took the loss, as she pitched first inning of that contest. The Broncos were out-hit 9-2.

The Lions took game one by a 5-3 score in part to a two-run homer by Casie Phillips in the third inning. Sami Strinz allowed just three runs on seven hits while striking out six in the opener, while Forman-Lau notched seven Ks.

The Lions jumped out to a 2-0 lead after one inning and 4-0 after three. Santa Clara's three runs came in the fourth. Vanessa Werner singled to center field, and advanced to second when Jenny Brown followed with a single. A wild pitch advanced both runners. One out later, Shannon Linerud doubled to left field, scoring both Broncos. Rachel Sherman then reached on a Lion error and stole second, allowing Linerud to steal home on the throw.

Santa Clara out-hit the Lions in the first contest by a 7-6 margin.

Santa Clara remains in Los Angeles for two more games against the Lions, on Saturday at noon. The Broncos will return to Marsalli Park for a single game against fifth-ranked California at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.