SAN DIEGO — Kaylee Oh's RBI double ignited a three-run fifth inning as San Diego softball (16-18, 3-2 WCC) defeated Loyola Marymount (23-15, 1-4 WCC) by a 3-2 margin on Friday evening, as the Toreros clinch the series victory at the Reggie Smith Softball Complex. 

It was a pitchers duel through the opening four innings, with LMU scratching across a run in the third inning on an RBI single up the middle, before adding another in the top of the fifth on a solo home run to left field to take a 2-0 lead. 

The Lions lead was short lived as USD immediately responded in the bottom of the fifth. Shawnese Hogue-Lacy led off with a single to shallow center, and Oh followed with a double to left center that scored Hogue-Lacy after a close play at the plate. Abrielle Diaz then sent an RBI single to right center field that scored Oh to knot the game up at two runs a piece. A single from Hailey Mulligan put runners on the corners to set the stage for Janae Combs to deliver the go-ahead RBI down the left field line plating Ava Rojas — pinch running for Diaz — and giving the Toreros a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish. 

Kelsey Tadlock started in the circle and worked 3.1 strong innings, allowing just one earned run before giving way to fellow senior Charlie Johnson in the fourth. Johnson buckled down and threw the final 3.2 innings and retired the last three batters in order in the top of the seventh to seal the victory. 

The Toreros will look for the sweep tomorrow in the series finale against the Lions. First pitch at the Reggie Smith Softball Complex is set for 1:00 p.m.