ATHLETICS | Softball is returning to the NISC Championship to defend its title! The LMU softball team won the NISC Regional Championship in Reno, Nev. on Saturday, beating University of Nevada twice in two must-win games. LMU went into Saturday’s game with one tournament loss, as the team fell to Nevada in its first game on Thursday, followed that with a 10-0 shutout win, and needed to win both of Saturday’s games to clinch the Regional Championship. The Lions will next head to the NISC Championship in Fort Collins, Colo., where the team will take on Iowa State on Friday. Liberty and UT Arlington will also be competing for the title.
Before heading to the tournament, LMU head softball coach Sami Strinz-Ward was named the West Coast Conference Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year, while seven Lions were named to All-WCC Teams and one to Honorable Mention. This is Strinz-Ward’s third Coach of the Year honor in four years. The LMU alumni is in her fourth year as the Lions’ head coach and her fifth year with the program. Three Lions were named to the All-West Coast Conference Softball First Team, including, pitcher Hannah Bandimere, infielder Andrea Gonzalez and outfielder Molly Grumbo.
For the third straight year and the fifth time in the last six seasons the Loyola Marymount University baseball team is headed to the postseason. By virtue of beating Gonzaga on Saturday, combined with Saint Mary’s 4-0 victory over Pepperdine on Saturday and Sunday, and owning the tiebreaker against the University of San Francisco, the Lions are bound for Stockton and the West Coast Conference tournament. The Lions will begin their march towards the WCC postseason championship on Thursday, May 23 at 3 p.m., when they take on the Cougars in the tournament’s first game at Banner Island Ballpark. LMU opened last week with nine runs over the final two innings to come-from-behind and rally past Cal State Bakersfield.
For the third consecutive year, LMU’s Riley Elmes claimed the second-best single season scoring average in program history. In his final tournament as a Lion, the senior shot 69-74-74—217 to place in a tie for 48th in the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Stanford Regional. Over his four-year career, Elmes boasts a 72.42 scoring average, second only to Brian Locke’s 72.42 average from 2015-19. Elmes owns three of the top four single season averages in program history, again behind Locke’s 71.00 in 2006-07. This season, Elmes averaged 71.24, which tops his 71.33 average from his junior season and his 71.72 average achieved as a sophomore. With 19 career top-10 finishes, and 16 of those in the top-5, Elmes has left his mark on LMU golf.
Competing at the 2019 West Coast Conference Championships from Lake Natoma in Gold River, California the LMU women’s rowing team finished in third place behind the University of San Diego and first place Gonzaga. The Lions started off the day with a win in the second varsity four, coming in with a time of 7:49.894, then quickly followed that up with the team’s first ever win in the varsity four. The Lions victory in the varsity four was at a program-best time of 7:36.350, beating USD by six seconds for their second straight race victory. At the conclusion of the race LMU’s Ellery Martin and Lauren Compeau were both named to the 2019 All-West Coast Conference Women’s Rowing Team.
The LMU volleyball team prepares for its 2019 fall season with the No. 23 recruiting class in the nation, announced by prepvolleyball.com. The Lions No. 23 ranking is the highest ranked class in program history. LMU welcomes seven newcomers to the roster, including outside hitters Rose Booth, Audrey Klemp, Piper Manross, Olivia Personeni, libero Mary Shroll, middle blocker Emmelyn Walters and defensive specialist/libero Ariana Warren. The 2019 class will be joining an impressive Lion squad, as the team made its 14th NCAA appearance and advanced to the second round. The Lions graduate two impactful seniors, but will return 13 players.
Celebrate LMU Global Happy Hour with alumni around the world! Join fellow Lions for a fun evening of drinks, appetizers and great conversation as we kick off the fifth year of this global celebration. This South Bay event is aimed at bringing together LMU Athletics alumni from all class years and teams. Come together and reminisce about your days wearing an LMU uniform!
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
6–9 p.m.
Brewport Tap House
204 Main Street
El Segundo, CA 90245
Complimentary event includes hosted appetizers and a cash bar.
