NCAA Softball: LMU Knocks #10 UCLA Out of NCAA Playoffs

Ackerman's bombs send Gauchos and Bruins packing.

Megan Ackerman was 3-for-6 with two game-winning home runs and seven RBI on Saturday. Photo: LMU Athletics

LOS ANGELES - Megan Ackerman hit the two biggest home runs of her life on Saturday, leading the LMU softball team to historic wins in the NCAA Regional.

Her grand slam in the top of the sixth inning was the difference in LMU's 5-3 win over UC Santa Barbara in the first elimination game of the day.

She gave the Lions a lead that they would never relinquish with a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth as LMU recorded the biggest win in program history, knocking off UCLA, 4-2, and advancing to Sunday's regional final to face Hawaii.

It was a historic day for LMU softball at Easton Stadium on Saturday.

Saturday marked LMU's first NCAA Tournament wins, and the Lions record their first ever win over UCLA with the nightcap win.

UCLA had won the previous 19 outings, including two this season.

This is also the first time in 23 previous trips to the NCAA Tournament that UCLA has not advanced to the Women's College World Series.

In the first game of the day, the Gauchos took an early lead. A walk, stolen base and RBI single gave UCSB the 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. The Gauchos added to their lead when Tiffany Wright hit a solo home run to lead off the fourth inning, making the score 2-0 UCSB.

LMU had won 15 regular season games this season when trailing after five innings, and today they added to that total.

MiaSarah Cesena was hit by a pitch to lead off the top of the sixth and advanced to second on a single up the middle by Margo Pineda. One out later, a single by Tracy Cook loaded the bases for the Lions.

With LMU's hottest hitter at the plate, UCSB walked Christine Foley, cutting the lead to 2-1.

Ackerman picked a perfect time to hit LMU's first grand slam of the season, taking a 1-1 outside pitch and sending it over the wall in right field, giving the Lions a 5-2 lead.

The Gauchos added an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth, but Lion starter Melissa Dykema (26-7) picked up the biggest win of her career by sending the Gauchos back to the dugout in order in the bottom of the seventh.

This was the second time this season that LMU had a comeback win over UCSB.

On March 25th, LMU scored three unanswered runs with two outs in the top of the seventh to defeat UCSB 4-3 in Santa Barbara.

Jennifer Davis (14-16) took the loss for the Gauchos, allowing five runs on six hits with one walk and eight strikeouts. Dykema allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

Offensively the Lions were led by Ackerman, who was 1-for-3 with a grand slam. Pineda was 2-for-4 with a run scored, and Foley was 1-for-2 with a run and an RBI.

Wright led UCSB, going 1-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.

UCLA fell to Hawaii 3-1 in the first game of the day, setting up the second elimination game.

The Lions came out swinging against the Bruins, as Kirsten Slouber hit a double to the wall in right center to lead off the bottom of the first.

LMU scattered four hits through the first three innings, but the game remained scoreless. Tiffany Pagano (21-9) pitched the game of her life, not allowing a hit until the third inning.

In the fourth, the Lions struck again. Cook singled up the middle to lead off the bottom of the inning.

Foley hit a hard ground ball to UCLA second baseman Lisa Dodd, who couldn't get a handle on the ball, giving the Lions runners at first and second with no outs.

After Ackerman couldn't get a bunt down, with two strikes she was given the sign to swing away, and she did just that. She took another outside pitch and sent it over the centerfield wall, giving the Lions a 3-0 lead.

LMU added to its lead in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, Conroy was hit by a pitch. She quickly stole second base, and came around to score on single to right field to give the Lions a four-run lead.

The Bruins chipped away at LMU's 4-0 lead with two runs in the top of the sixth, but the Lions stayed strong.

The top of the seventh was an adventure, but Pagano stayed tough. She hit lead off batter Whitney Holum, but followed with a strikeout to Kaila Shull.

With one out, Kristen Dedmon singled to right field, putting runners at the corners. A bunt single by Tara Henry loaded the bases. With two outs, Krista Colburn grounded out to first baseman Foley to set the stage for the final out.

After taking ball one, Jaisa Creps hit a ground ball to Pagano, who threw to Foley for the final out of the game.

Pagano finished the game with one earned run (two totals runs) on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts.

UCLA starter Anjelica Selden allowed four runs on seven hits with two strikeouts in 4.2 innings. She was replaced in the sixth inning by Megan Langefeld who allowed two hits in 1.1 innings.

At the plate, Ackerman was 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Cook was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Foley was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Slouber, Pineda and Kirsten Whitt also had hits in the game. Henry was 2-for-3 for the Bruins.

The Lions will now face Hawaii on Sunday in the regional final.

LMU must defeat the Rainbow Wahine twice to win the regional and advance to the Super Regional.

The first game starts at 2:30 PM and will be broadcast live on ESPNU and Lions All-Access at www.LMULions.com.

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