STOCKTON, Calif. – The Pacific softball team begins West Coast Conference play when it hosts LMU on Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8, for a three-game series at Bill Simoni Field.
Competing for the first time in over a week, the Tigers (9-15) last faced off against Sacramento State at home, earning a non-conference doubleheader split on March 25. Rian Dirmeyer led the team to a 3-0 shutout win in the opening game as she tallied two hits in three-at bats throughout the contest. Recording her second multi-hit game of the season, Dirmeyer notched her team-leading third home run and added an RBI triple to solidify the victory.
Vanessa Strong continues to lead the Tigers in the circle, registering a team-best 3.25 earned run average. Strong has accumulated a 4-3 record in 11 appearances this season, leading the team with 39 strikeouts in 47.1 innings pitched.
The defending WCC champions enter the first league series coming off a 4-3 win at California Baptist last Tuesday. The Lions (14-16) have won five of their previous eight games, including taking two of three against Fresno State and earning back-to-back shutout wins over Brown and South Dakota at home.
Morgan DeBord leads the team offensively, ranking first in multiple categories, including hits (27), extra-base hits (14), and slugging percentage (.620). DeBord recorded three hits and four RBI in the series against the Tigers at home last season, leading the Lions to a three-game sweep.
Jenna Perez has been the Lions' ace this season, appearing in 20 of the 30 games. Registering a 5-9 record, Perez has tossed a team-high 91.2 innings and leads the team with 139 strikeouts. The reigning WCC Pitcher of the Year has held her opponents to a .184 batting average and has thrown seven complete games.
Since the 2014 season, the two programs have faced off 24 times, with the Lions holding a narrow 13-11 advantage in the all-time series. The last time the Tigers earned a win over the Lions was on April 24, 2021, earning a 4-0 shutout win at Bill Simoni Field.
For more information about the 2023 season and future events, follow Pacific softball on social media and download the Pacific Athletics mobile app.
