Feb. 5, 2006
Box Score
Tucson, Ariz. - Leading by just two in the top of the eighth, sophomore Eric Farris secured a game three win for LMU with a two-run single that gave the Lions the insurance runs they needed against 31st-ranked Arizona (2-1). The 12-5 win concluded the opening weekend series for LMU (1-2), who got a hit from every player in its starting lineup to total 15 Sunday afternoon at Kindall Field.
LMU used a balance scoring attack early, putting up runs in each of the first four innings, most notably the third. Chris Pettit started the LMU rally with a bunt single that brought in DeAndre Miller after a throwing error by Brad Boyer. With Pettit also advancing to second on the error, the Lions had runners on second and third with no outs. Erik Johnson then notched his fourth RBI of the season, bringing home Farris with a sacrifice fly to left. Senior Kyle Mura reached first on an error by shortstop Jason Donald, plating Pettit in the process to give the Lions the 5-1 advantage.
The Lions added two more in the fourth after a wild pitch (Preston Guilmet) and error (Colt Sedbrook) brought in A.J. LaMonda, who had walked to start the inning. Miller followed with a sacrifice fly to right that scored Gordon for the 7-3 lead.
Despite the frequent scoring by the Lions, LMU couldn't keep the Cats from crossing the plate. UA made it a two-run game in the bottom of the fifth when T.J. Steele's sacrifice fly to center scored Konrad Schmidt, who had singled to start the inning. LMU reliever Andy Beal then got out of a jam with runners on second and third by striking out Jon Gaston to end the inning.
The Lions had bases loaded with just one out in the top of the sixth, but Guilmet got out of the jam unharmed.
UA threatened in the bottom of the seventh, placing runners on first and third with one out. But LMU reliever Blake Feaser got out of the jam by getting Stelle to ground into a 643 double play.
The Cats did it again in the bottom of the eighth, loading the bases. Feaser once again got out of it unharmed, getting pinch hitter Eric Berger to flyout to left.
LMU had used the first and second innings to build a 2-0 lead, getting on the scoreboard first for the third time in three games. Johnson brought in Miller from first with a single to center, and Sean Dovel scored after starting the second inning with a double for the second straight day.
The Lions put an exclamation mark on the game with a two-run ninth inning, getting singles from Miller, Farris, and LaMonda, and a double from Glomb.
Sunday marked the first time LMU put up runs after the third inning. After putting up five today, UA finished with 11 total errors on the weekend.
Wildcat starter David Coulon (0-1) went 3.1 innings, giving up five earned runs on five hits.
Lions' starter Roberto Torres lasted 3.2 innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits. Beal followed, allowing one run on three hits over two innings to earn his first win of the season. Feaser threw 3.1 innings, including retiring the side in the ninth, to earn the save.
Derek Decater went 3-for-4 to lead the Wildcats offensively.
Each starter tallied a hit for the Lions, with Farris leading the way with a 3-for-6 effort.
The Lions return to Los Angeles and will face their first mid-week match-up Tuesday at UC Irvine. First pitch is slated for 6:00 p.m. and fans can follow all of the action on both Lions' All-Access and Gametracker, both at www.LMULions.com.
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