Wolverines Sacrifice Early Lead to LMU in Judi Garman Opener

Friday, February 28

Fullerton, Calif.

1:30 PM PT

Michigan

10-4

Loyola Marymount

10-7

Loyola Marymount

Michigan

Meghan Beaubien (Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Sacrifice Early Lead to LMU in Judi Garman Opener

2/28/2020 7:42:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Leah Howard

» No. 13 Michigan sacrificed the initial lead in a 2-1 loss to Loyola Marymount in its Judi Garman Classic opener.
» LHP Meghan Beaubien allowed two runs -- both unearned -- on just three hits and a hit-by-pitch with six strikeouts; she retired 16 straight to close the game.
» Julia Jimenez posted two hits, while Abby Skvarce drove in U-M's run on a first-inning single.

Site: Fullerton, Calif. (Anderson Family Field)
Event: Judi Garman Classic (Day 1 of 3)
Score: Loyola Marymount 2, #13 Michigan 1
Records: U-M (10-4), LMU (10-7)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Feb. 29 -- vs. Texas (Fullerton Calif.), 2:30 p.m. PST

FULLERTON, Calif. -- Despite a fast start and stingy pitching, the No. 13-ranked University of Michigan softball team could not hang onto its initial lead, falling to Loyola Marymount, 2-1, in its Judi Garman Classic opener Friday afternoon (Feb. 28) at Anderson Family Field.

Junior left-handed pitcher Meghan Beaubien (5-3) was solid in defeat, allowing two runs -- both unearned -- on just three hits and a hit-by-pitch. She struck out six, and after LMU scored its two runs on a two-out single in the second inning, Beaubien retired each of the final 16 batters she faced.

Michigan outhit the Lions, 7-3, in the contest but stranded six, including five in scoring position. Freshman second baseman Julia Jimenez paced the Wolverines with two hits from the leadoff spot, while senior designated player Abby Skvarce drove in U-M's lone run on an RBI single up the middle in the first inning.

LMU, which took advantage of a two-out error and hit-by-pitch before its two-run single in the second, made several spectacular defensive plays to keep the Wolverines off the board, including diving outfield catches to end threats in the third and fifth innings.

The Wolverines put the tying run in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh when sophomore left fielder Lexie Blair singled and advanced to second on a throwing error, but she was stranded there on a subsequent strikeout and game-ending groundout.

Michigan (10-4) will face a pair of nationally-ranked opponents at the Judi Garman Classic on Saturday (Feb. 29), when they take on No. 2 Texas at 2:30 p.m. PST and No. 25 Texas Tech at 5 p.m. PST at Anderson Family Field. Both games will be streamed live on FloSoftball.com.