A strong pitching performance by freshman Hannah Klein () and timely offense helped the Seattle University softball team defeat Saint Mary’s College, 2-0, but Loyola Marymount was able to stifle a couple of late SeattleU rallies in its 3-0 win Sunday afternoon at the Courtyard by Marriott L.A. Westside Classic at Smith Field.
The game between and Saint Mary’s was a pitcher’s duel until the top of the sixth inning, when SeattleU’s Katie Petersen (, ) singled, Jamie Foote (, ) walked, and Lisa Hill () was hit by a pitch. A wild pitch by Gaels pitcher Britany Linton scored Petersen, and Foote scored on a passed ball charged to Sadie Dolcini.
Saint Mary’s (7-11) threatened to score in the bottom of the sixth inning with three straight singles to load the bases. Lauren Clark hit a sharp ground ball to shortstop Peggy Mathison (, ), who flipped the ball to Jodie Schmehr () for the forceout at second. Schmehr’s throw to first landed in Arianne Judy’s (Selah, ) glove just in time to complete the double play, ending the Gaels’ scoring chance.
With two outs in the Saint Mary’s seventh, Katelyn LaRussa was hit by a pitch and Rebecca Sabatini doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Klein was able to induce a grounder from Kayla Gonzales to end the game and complete the first collegiate shutout of her career. Klein scattered five hits and two walks while striking out two batters, and Linton finished with five strikeouts and two walks in the defeat.
Against Loyola Marymount, had a scoring chance in the fourth inning, eventually loading the bases before a popup ended the inning. The Lions picked up a run in the bottom of the fourth inning when Megan Ackerman doubled and scored on a single by Christine Foley.
Loyola Marymount (11-13) added a couple of insurance runs in the sixth inning as Ackerman hit a home run to left field and Amy Charpentier doubled and scored on a single by MiaSarah Cesena. SeattleU loaded the bases in the top of the seventh inning, but back-to-back strikeouts from relief pitcher Sam Fischer allowed the Lions to come out on top.
Kelsey Reynolds () took the loss, giving up nine hits and three earned runs while walking one and striking out one batter. Lion starter Melissa Dykema gave up four hits and five walks in earning the victory, while Fischer allowed two hits and a walk while picking up her first save of the season.
Schmehr, Hill, and Jessica Amador (, ) each earned two hits for against Loyola Marymount, while Petersen picked up two hits in the team’s first game of the day against Saint Mary’s. After leaving only five runners on base in the first game, SeattleU stranded 12 runners on base against the host team Lions.
(6-8) flies back to Sunday night and is scheduled to face in a doubleheader Monday, March 9, beginning at 1 p.m. at Logan Field. Live stats will be available for all SeattleU home games this season on GoSeattleU.com.