Lions Kick Off WCC Play with a Dominant Sweep Over Oregon State – Loyola Marymount University Athletics

CORVALLIS, OR – The LMU softball team began its West Coast Conference play with a bang, sweeping the Oregon State Beavers in a doubleheader on the road. They first cruised to a 10-2 victory, then secured a solid 5-2 win in the second game.

In the opening game, LMU wasted no time taking the lead. Izzy Jamgotchian kicked things off in the second inning with a solo home run. Pitcher Jessica Hubbard dominated, striking out the first nine batters she faced and keeping OSU in check.

The Lions extended their lead in the third inning. Sakora Harvell sent a run home, and Jamgotchian added another with a fielder’s choice, making it 3-0. Oregon State fought back in the fourth with a two-run double, closing the gap to one run. However, LMU responded fiercely in the seventh inning. Sydney Poole led off with a single, and when the bases were loaded, Jamgotchian hit her second home run of the game—a grand slam. Kealani Caster then joined the party with a two-run homer, pushing the score to 10-2. Hubbard finished the game strong, shutting down the Beavers in the last inning.

The second game felt more competitive at the start, with Lindsay O’Dell pitching brilliantly for LMU until OSU managed to take a brief lead with a two-run single in the second inning. The Lions struggled early but found their rhythm in the fifth. Jamgotchian struck again, hitting a two-run homer that flipped the score to 3-2 in favor of LMU.

Mika Chong walked, Analiah Lummus doubled, and Caster served up another double, adding to the lead. Harvell later sealed the deal with an insurance RBI single in the sixth, allowing LMU to secure the 5-2 victory.

This powerful showing not only sets the tone for LMU’s season but also reflects their growth and determination as a team. According to a recent survey by the NCAA, teams that have strong starts to their seasons are more likely to perform well overall, highlighting the importance of these early wins.

The Lions’ next game is scheduled for tomorrow at 2 PM in Corvallis. Keep an eye on this emerging team as they continue their WCC journey!

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