Box Score

A day after posting just one run on two hits, LMU (18-13, 7-4 WCC) scored 12 runs on 16 hits en route to beating Saint Mary's (19-12, 6-5 WCC) by a count of 12-6 on Friday to even the West Coast Conference series being played at Louis Guisto Field.

Sophomore Austin Miller and freshman Billy Wilson led the charge offensively, with Miller going 4-for-6 with two runs scored, a double, three RBI and his second career home run. The homer was a three-run shot as part of a six-run fifth inning in which LMU scored all six runs with two out. The four-hit game matched a career high for Miller, marking the third time he has reached the four-hit plateau.

Wilson also contributed in a big way in the six-run fifth, delivering a two-out RBI-single to break a 4-4 tie. The native of Tolleson, Ariz. finished the game 3-for-4 with a run scored and three RBI. Senior Tanner Donnels, who led off the fifth with a single, also contributed three hits, going 3-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI. Wilson's RBI-single was followed by a walk and a two-RBI single from freshman Sean Watkins. The Pacifica, Calif. native went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI.

Trevor Megill got the start for LMU, tossing the first three innings and allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out six. Trevor's younger brother, Tylor Megill, took over in the fourth, throwing the next 3.2 innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks to improve to 5-3 with the victory. Freshman Cory Abbott contributed the final 2.1 scoreless innings of relief, sealing the Lion victory.

Saint Mary's used six pitchers on Friday, including starter Billy Oxford. The right-hander lasted just 3.1 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits before turning the ball over to Wes Malik. Malik allowed three runs on two hits over the next 1.1 innings, falling in line for the loss and dropping to 2-2 on the year.

LMU led 4-0 headed to the bottom of the third, as Ted Boeke, Donnels and David Edwards all contributed RBI-singles early in the game. Just as the Lions did in the top of the third, Saint Mary's plated three runs in the bottom of the inning to cut the deficit to one. Anthony Gonsolin contributed a two-RBI single in the inning before a leadoff hit-by-pitch in the fourth came around to score on an RBI-groundout to tie the game at 4-4.

LMU issued 10 free passes on Friday, including walking six and hitting four batters, but also benefitted from seven walks and a hit-by-pitch on the offensive side.

After LMU's six-run fifth, both teams would add two more runs, with the Gaels scoring twice in the bottom of the fifth before LMU added two insurance runs in the eighth to run the final score to 12-6. A sacrifice fly from Jimmy Jack pushed the first run across in the eighth before Wilson capped a stellar day at the plate with an RBI-single back up the middle in his final at bat.

LMU and Saint Mary's will play the rubber game of the three-game series tomorrow at 1 p.m.