Feb. 24, 2013

Box Score

EUGENE, Ore. - The LMU baseball team (3-4) led 1-0 over No. 14 Oregon (6-1) on Sunday at Oregon's PK Park, but a four-run sixth inning, with all four runs coming unearned, handed the lead to the Ducks as they eventually earned a 6-1 decision. LMU surrendered six runs total on Sunday, with only one earned run being charged to the staff.

Senior Aaron Griffin was cruising through five innings, but he walked the leadoff man in the sixth before an error charged to shortstop Joey Boney allowed runners to reach first and second. After a sacrifice bunt pushed the runners to second and third, LMU elected to intentionally walk Ryon Healy to load the bases and play for a double-play ball. The decision worked in the short term as Griffin struck out Ryan Hambright for the second out. After working to a full count, Griffin came with a fastball to designated hitter Tyler Baumgartner who promptly delivered the ball over Chris Barnett's head in left field for a three-RBI double, chasing Griffin from the game. The right-hander finished having thrown 5.2 innings and allowing four runs (none earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out five to fall to 1-1. Sophomore Sean Buckle was summoned out of the bullpen first, allowing a RBI-double to Nick Catalano to cap the four-run inning. Junior Carlos Fuentes pitched the final 1.2 innings, allowing an unearned run and striking out one.

LMU senior catcher Colton Plaia led the offensive charge for the Lions, going 3-for-4 out of the cleanup spot. Sophomore Tanner Donnels also collected multiple hits, finishing 2-for-3 with a RBI-single to bring home Joey Boney and the game's first run in the fourth. Boney, who finished 1-for-4, had singled earlier in the fourth.

Freshman left-hander Cole Irvin was impressive for Oregon in his second career start, lasting eight innings and allowing just the one run on six hits with three strikeouts. All-American closer Jimmie Sherfy entered in the ninth, allowing three hits and loading the bases before eventually working out of the jam. With the victory, Irvin improved to 2-0 on the year.

LMU will return to action on Tuesday when it hosts UC Irvine at 2 p.m.