Box Score

The LMU baseball team (16-12, 6-3 WCC) won the rubber game of a three-game West Coast Conference series with Gonzaga on Sunday, defeating the Bulldogs (12-15, 3-6 WCC) by a count of 4-2 from LMU's Page Stadium.

LMU received an outstanding pitching performance from freshman Sean Watkins. The right-hander, making his second start of the week, tossed five shutout frames and allowed just two hits and two walks to improve to 2-0 on the year. The back end of LMU's bullpen held strong in the latter third of the game, as Michael Silva threw two scoreless innings before turning the ball over to J.D. Busfield who closed the door on the Bulldogs with a 1-2-3 ninth to secure his ninth save in as many chances this year.

LMU managed all of its scoring in the first five frames, plating a run in the third, one in the fourth, and two in the fifth. Four Lion players posted multiple hits, including sophomore Austin Miller with a 3-for-4 day and a double out of the leadoff spot. Sophomore Cassidy Brown capped a strong week behind the plate, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while David Edwards and sophomore Ted Boeke each had two hits of their own. Brown finished the week hitting .417 with four runs scored and three RBI.

The Lions got on the board first in the bottom of the third after rallying with two out. Brown got the two-out rally going with a walk before moving to third on a single from Miller. David Fletcher, who went 1-for-4 on the day, came up clutch on the ensuing play, shooting a single into centerfield to put the Lions on the board. Like Brown, Fletcher had an outstanding week, hitting .400 with four runs scored, two doubles and three RBI to go along with a pair of stolen bases.

A Boeke RBI-single in the fourth made it 2-0 LMU before the Lions doubled up in the fifth with two runs to push the advantage to 4-0. Brown led off with a single before a walk and a fielder's choice left runners at the corners with one out. Fletcher proceeded to steal second base, his 10th of the year, before Gonzaga intentionally walked Tanner Donnels to load the bases. Edwards made the decision hurt, delivering the RBI-single to plate the first run of the frame, setting the table for an RBI-groundout from pinch-hitter Jamey Smart to cap the scoring run.

Gonzaga refused to surrender without a fight, scoring twice (one earned run) in the sixth inning off of reliever Cory Abbott, but the Lion bullpen proved stingy from there as LMU held on for the series victory.

The Lions will travel to Grand Canyon University on Tuesday for a game at 6:30 p.m. before continuing WCC play at Saint Mary's next Thursday.