Box Score

LMU had seven hits over the first five scoreless innings on Sunday, but the Lions (6-6) finally broke a scoreless draw with a run in the sixth en route to pouring on eight runs over the final four frames of an 8-4 victory over FIU (5-8) on Sunday in the final game of a four-game series being played at FIU Baseball Stadium in Miami, Fla.

Sophomore Sean Watkins collected his third multi-hit game of the year, finishing a perfect 4-for-4 with three RBI, a double and a sacrifice fly hitting out of the seventh spot in the order. Four other Lions collected multiple hits, with junior Cassidy Brown finishing 3-for-5 with a run scored and a double. The native of Hudson, Ohio has now hit safely in 10 straight games, including posting multiple hits in seven of the 10.

Junior Seaver Whalen pitched in a 2-for-3 effort that featured three runs scored, a double and an RBI, while Spencer Erdman claimed his first two-hit day of his career (2-for-4). Austin Miller, hitting out of the leadoff spot, finished 2-for-5 with his first home run of the season.

Junior Tyler Cohen was impressive for LMU on the mound in the start, allowing just one run on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts over 6.0 innings to improve to 1-1 on the year. The quality start was the first of Cohen's career, and the third in four games at FIU for LMU. Junior left-hander Brenton Arriaga, who was pitching outside of a midweek start for the first time this year, tossed the final 3.0 innings, allowing three unearned runs on four hits with three strikeouts to claim his first career save.

Opposing Cohen as FIU's starter, Cody Crouse dealt 5.1 innings and earned a no decision. The right-hander allowed one unearned run on nine hits and one walk while striking out six. Nate Pearson was the first reliever used by the Panthers, and the righty was tagged with the loss after surrendering four runs on five hits over 1.1 innings. The decision moved Pearson to 1-1 on the season.

The Lions broke a scoreless tie in the sixth with an unearned run against Crouse. Whalen led off the inning with a single before moving to second on an errant pickoff throw. A ground ball to the right side moved Whalen to third before Watkins punched a base hit into left field with the infield drawn in on the grass to put the Lions on the board.

After FIU plated a run in the home half of the sixth to even the tally at 1-1, LMU tacked on four more runs in the seventh to take a lead for good. Miller led off the inning with a homer, belting a 2-0 pitch over the wall in right centerfield to run the tally to 2-1 in favor of LMU. Doubles from Brown and Whalen forced in the second run before pinch-hitter Brandon Shearer delivered an RBI-single into left field to plate Whalen and LMU's fourth run of the game. The hit was Shearer's first of his career, and he moved to second on the throw, setting the table for Watkins' RBI-double that capped the scoring run.

Now leading 5-1 headed into the ninth, LMU scored three more insurance runs to push the tally to 8-1. The Lions benefitted from a pair of miscues in the inning, as reliever Robert Garcia issued three walks, balked and fired a pitch off catcher Zack Soria's glove for a passed ball. The balk and the passed ball both allowed Lion runs to score, while the final run came in to score on a sacrifice fly from Watkins.

As they did throughout the series, FIU refused to surrender in the ninth, scoring three times to run the score to its eventual final of 8-4. All three runs were unearned, as Ted Boeke was charged with a pair of errors at third base. Follis and Jack Schaaf each had an RBI in the final frame, but the push was not enough to extend the game any further.

LMU will not play a midweek game next week, returning to action on Friday when it opens a four-game series at Nebraska. Game one of the series is scheduled for an 11:35 a.m. PT first pitch.