Box Score

Freshman Marcus Still tried to tie the game by tagging up on a foul pop up down the first base line, but was thrown out by second baseman Jimmy Gosano to end the game and hand Pacific (9-27, 6-10 WCC) a 4-3 victory over the Lions (22-16, 9-7 WCC) in first game of a three-game WCC series being played at LMU's Page Stadium. Gosano called off his first baseman and stumbled to his back side, but was able to deliver an accurate throw to cut down the speedy baserunner.

The Lions had trailed 4-2 headed to the bottom of the ninth, but a Sean Watkins single was followed by a one-out double down the left field line from pinch-hitter Kyle Dozier. Austin Miller cut the deficit in half by legging out an RBI-single to shortstop, but Ted Boeke was only able to lift the shallow foul fly to Gosano that started the unconventional double play to end the game.

Right-hander Jake Jenkins got the start for Pacific and nearly took the Tigers the distance, throwing 8.1 and allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and four walks while striking out seven. The junior improved to 2-6 on the year. Vince Arobio allowed one of his inherited runners to score, but eventually closed the door on the Lions to earn his sixth save in seven attempts.

Tyler Sullivan, who went 5-for-5 against Sacramento State on Tuesday, continued his torrid pace, going 4-for-5 with a run scored out of the leadoff spot. Gosano, who had the game-ending play, finished with two RBI, while McKay Koissian went 1-for-2 with two runs scored and a double.

Senior Colin Welmon got the start for LMU and took the loss, surrendering four runs on eight hits and three walks over 6.1 innings of work. Michael Silva, who has been virtually lights out all season, entered a 2-2 game with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh looking to keep the game tied, but the right hander was unable to keep the Tigers off the board. The native of Valencia, Calif. struck out the first man he faced, but he proceeded to walk Nate Verlin to force in the first run before hitting Dallas Correa to plate what proved to be the game-winner.

The Lions never led in the game, allowing a run in the third before drawing even in the fourth. Welmon struggled with the shutdown inning all night, giving the run back in the top of the fifth only to have the Lions knot the tally at two in the bottom of the sixth, setting the table for the two-run seventh that ultimately proved to be all Pacific would need.

The Lions will look to get back even in the series tomorrow at 6 p.m.