Box Score

PORTLAND, Ore. - Senior Colin Welmon tossed his fourth career complete game shutout on Friday, blanking Portland (9-34, 4-15 WCC) over nine innings in a 4-0 LMU victory. The complete game was the seventh of his career and the first of 2015. The Lions (26-16, 12-7 WCC) broke a scoreless game with three runs in the top of the eighth before David Fletcher belted his second homer of the year in the top of the ninth for added insurance.

Welmon allowed six hits and two walks over the nine frames, striking out eight and throwing 112 pitches to record the victory and move to 4-5 on the season. The right-hander had to work through a pair of jams to record the shutout, including escaping a bases-loaded and one-out situation in the third. The victory was Welmon's 26th of his career, moving him into sole possession of seventh place in the LMU record book.

Left-hander Brandon Snyder was also impressive in his start, limiting LMU to five hits and no runs over seven innings of work to claim a no-decision. Snyder, who was making his first start of the season, struck out three and walked two before giving way to Carl Snaring. The lefty reliever was charged with the loss after allowing the three runs on three hits and a walk in the eighth, falling to 1-1 on the season.

LMU used clutch two-out hitting in the eighth inning to take the lead as David Edwards reached with a one-out check-swing single and stole second base with two out. Joe Christian, serving as the designated hitter, followed by working a big walk to extend the inning for Sean Watkins, who punched an RBI-single into left field to put the Lions on the board. Both Christian and Watkins moved up on the throw, leaving runners at second and third for Ted Boeke. Boeke wasted no time delivering the blow, lacing the first pitch of his at bat into left field to bring home both runners.

Watkins, who will start on the mound on Sunday, finished the game 3-for-4 with the run scored and the RBI. LMU managed three extra-base hits in the victory, including Fletcher who went 2-for-5 with a double and the homer.

LMU will continue the three-game series with Portland tomorrow at 1 p.m.