Box Score

The Lions jumped out to an early 1-0 lead over #1 TCU (11-2) on Tuesday, but a five-run fifth inning put LMU in a hole it could not escape as the Lions (9-7) eventually fell by a score of 6-2 at Page Stadium.

Sophomore Austin Miller, who went 2-for-5 on the night, got the bottom of the second off to a great start, singling up the middle before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt from Joe Christian. A fly out to right resulted in the second out of the inning without moving the runner, but Ted Boeke, hitting out of the ninth spot, blooped a run-scoring single into right field to bring home Miller and put the Lions on the board.

The 1-0 lead held until the fifth when the Horned Frogs came through with five runs on five hits and an error to take a 5-1 lead. The inning started with a hit-by-pitch to Nolan Brown before Dane Steinhagen singled to right centerfield to push runners to the corners with nobody out. The equalizer came one play later as Jeremie Fagnan collected an infield single to first base that forced Tanner Donnels into a dive and left runners at first and second. A sacrifice bunt allowed the runners to move up 90 feet, setting the table for a two-RBI single inside the bag at first from Cody Jones to make it 3-1 TCU. A single from Keaton Jones followed and ended the night of LMU starter Brenton Arriaga, as LMU called to the bullpen to summon freshman Cory Abbott with runners at first and second and one out. The Horned Frogs proceeded to put pressure on the LMU defense on the ensuing play, utilizing a double steal and scoring a run as the throw to third from catcher Cassidy Brown sailed into left field. A strikeout of Garrett Crain gave LMU its second out, but Evan Skoug put the cap on the scoring run just a few moments later, punching an RBI-single back up the middle to plate K. Jones and push the Horned Frog lead to 5-1.

The Lions got one run back on one impressive swing of the bat from Sean Watkins in the fifth inning. The freshman belted his team-leading fourth home run of the year on the first pitch he saw, sending a no-doubter over the wall in left centerfield to run the tally to 5-2. The homer was Watkins' second in as many games, and came as part of a 2-for-5 night at the plate.

A pair of walks to start the eighth came back to haunt LMU reliever Michael Silva, who entered in the seventh and retired the side after inheriting a runner. With the two men on, Watkins left right field and took over on the mound and got the first hitter he faced to fly out, but Steinhagen delivered the run on the next play, lining an RBI-single into right centerfield and just out of the reach of the dive from Miller to advance the TCU lead to 6-2.

Arriaga tossed the first 4.1 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits en route to being tagged with the loss and falling to 1-1. TCU starter Tyler Alexander tossed four innings of one-run ball, surrendering six hits while striking out four, before not factoring in the decision. Brian Howard earned the victory and improved to 2-0 after throwing 2.1 innings of relief.

The Lions had four players with multiple hits, including David Edwards who went 3-for-5. Donnels, Watkins and Miller all collected two hits, with Donnels recording his ninth double of the season.

LMU will return to action on Friday when it opens West Coast Conference play with a three-game home series with Santa Clara at 6 p.m.