Box Score | Photo Gallery

Backing a strong start from sophomore right-hander Codie Paiva, LMU (4-4) scored six times over the course of the first three innings en route to claiming a 7-3 victory over Washington State (3-4) on Monday afternoon to earn a split of a four-game home series with the Cougars.

Paiva dealt the first 6.0 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and four walks with three strikeouts to pick up the win and move to 1-0. Freshman Giuseppe Benedetti tossed 2.0 scoreless innings of relief before Niko Decolati retired the side in order in the ninth to seal the victory.

Phil Caulfield once again led the Lion offense hitting out of the leadoff spot, with Caulfield finishing 3-for-3 with a run scored and two walks. Spencer Erdman had a very productive day out of the second spot in the order, going 2-for-5 with a run scored, a double, a triple and a career-high-tying three RBI. Billy Wilson, who reached via a hit, a walk and a hit-by-pitch, scored all three times he reached in the victory.

David Wallum got the start for Washington State, but the right-hander did not work deep into the game, exiting after allowing four runs (three earned) over 1.0-plus inning. Wallum was ultimately charged with the loss and fell to 0-1.

Erdman wasted no time doing some damage in the contest, lacing an RBI-triple down the right field line to chase home Caulfield in the bottom of the first. LMU would add two more runs in the frame, including the capper on an RBI-single from Decolati.

It was more from Erdman in the second, as the senior shortstop delivered another extra-base hit, this time shooting a two-RBI double inside the bag at third to run LMU's advantage to 5-0 after two frames.

Washington State would tack on three runs of its own in the top of the third, plating the three on four hits and one Lion error, but LMU quickly regained the momentum by pushing another tally across in the home half of the inning, leaving the lead at 6-3 headed to the middle innings.

The Lions would add one more run in the bottom of the sixth, taking advantage of one of five Cougar wild pitches in the game, when Wilson scampered home on an errant pitch from Trenton Dupre.

LMU will continue what has been a busy stretch of play on Wednesday, welcoming Michigan to Page Stadium for a 6 p.m. contest.