Box Score

LMU baseball (30-20-1, 15-11 WCC) recorded its fifth shutout victory of the year on Saturday, blanking USF (23-30, 15-11 WCC) by a count of 4-0 to take game two of a three-game series being played at Benedetti Diamond over the weekend. LMU is now one victory away from earning a spot in the WCC Championship Tournament next weekend in Stockton, Calif.

Freshman Sean Watkins contributed what proved to be the game-winning hit in the first inning as the Lions tagged San Francisco starter Christian Cecilio with three runs in the opening frame. David Fletcher reached on an error to start the game before a bunt and a single from Tanner Donnels put runners at the corners and brought Watkins to the plate. The native of Pacifica, Calif. belted his fifth homer of the year to right field, handing LMU the early 3-0 advantage.

Watkins finished the game 2-for-3, while Ted Boeke contributed an RBI-double in the sixth to plate LMU's fourth run of the game.

The runs proved enough for LMU's pitching staff, guided by junior starter Trevor Megill. The right-hander tossed the first six shutout innings, allowing just five hits and two walks while striking out four, en route to picking up the victory and moving to 4-4 on the season. Michael Silva and Cory Abbott took the Lions the rest of the way, with Abbott tossing the final two frames.

Megill got himself in a bit of trouble in the sixth, allowing the first two hitters to reach, but he struck out Michael Eaton before inducing an inning-ending double play off the bat of pinch-hitter Justin McCullough to escape the jam. The twin-killing was the first of two turned by the Lions on Saturday afternoon.

Cecilio, who was charged with the loss and fell to 5-4, surrendered four total runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks over seven innings. The senior lefty struck out six.

Watkins will take the ball in the series finale tomorrow, looking to hand LMU its second straight trip to the WCC Championship series. He will be opposed by fellow freshman, Sam Granoff.