Box Score

A bases-clearing three-RBI triple from Brooks Stotler highlighted a four-run eighth that broke a 5-5 tie for Long Beach State, as the Dirtbags (16-21) earned a 9-6 win over LMU (17-19) from Blair Field in Long Beach, Calif. on Tuesday night.

FREE PASSES: For the second time this season, LMU walked 10 batters in a game, matching the mark set vs. #20 UCLA on 4/3. The Lions also hit three batters to issue a total of 13 free passes on Tuesday night.

OFFENSIVE LIONS OF THE GAME: Trevin Esquerra and Niko Pacheco each drove in a pair of runs in a four-run first inning for LMU, and Esquerra finished the game 2-for-5. Pacheco's two RBI came on a double in the first ÃÆ'¢Ã¢'¬" his fifth two-bagger of the year.

EARLY RUNS NOT ENOUGH: LMU jumped out to an early 4-0 lead by scoring four runs on four hits in the first inning, but they did not score again until the seventh. Long Beach State scored three in the third to cut the game to 4-3, and eventually took a lead in the sixth by way of two runs. The first of the two runs came in on a balk charged to CJ Fernandezees, while the go-ahead scored on a wild pitch. Though they surrendered the lead, LMU did manage to draw back even with a run in the seventh when Nick Sogard hit a line drive off the legs of reliever John Castro to plate Ryan Ruley.

FOUR-RUN EIGHTH SINKS LIONS: Sean Paquet took over in a 5-5 game in the eighth inning, but the left-hander immediately ran into trouble, allowing a leadoff single to Jacob Hughey. After Ruley made a diving catch in left field for the first out, Paquet walked the next man to put two aboard. A strikeout put the second out on the board, but another walk loaded the bases. Just as a wild pitch handed LBSU the lead in the sixth, a wild pitch handed them the lead in the eighth, as Paquet fired one to the backstop to allow pinch runner Joey Sanchez to score. A third walk from Paquet reloaded the bases before Stotler laced a bases-clearing three-RBI triple down the line in right to seemingly blow the game open at 9-5.

LMU BATTLES TO THE END: The Lions managed to put the tying run aboard in the ninth inning, loading the bases and receiving an RBI-single from Jamey Smart to make it a 9-6 game with two out. After pinch running for Smart at first base, Esquerra came up with the bases loaded in the three-run game, but struck out against reliever Sebastian Sanchez, as Sanchez recorded his first save.

BOX SCORE NOTES: Dylan Spacke, who threw 2.1 innings and allowed one run on one hit and three walks, earned the win and moved to 2-1 on the year ââ'¬¦ Paquet was saddled with the loss after being charged with four runs over two-thirds of an inning ââ'¬¦ the left-hander fell to 0-3 with the decision ââ'¬¦ while LMU walked 10, Long Beach walked six on the other side ââ'¬¦ LMU out-hit the Dirtbags, 9-4 ââ'¬¦ Holden Christian got the start for LMU, allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit and two walks over 2.2 innings ââ'¬¦ Hughey started for the Dirtbags, allowing the four runs in the first, but eventually settling in to go 5.0 frames.

LION NOTES: LMU had a three-game win streak snapped with Tuesday's loss ââ'¬¦ the Lions have now dropped seven of the last 11 overall ââ'¬¦ prior to walking 10 twice this year, LMU last walked 10 or more on March 30, 2004 when it issued 15 against UC Santa Barbara.

ON DECK: LMU will have little time to dwell on the setback, as it returns to action on Wednesday when it hosts USC at 6 p.m. to make up the fogged-out contest from March 13. LMU will then welcome Portland to Page Stadium for a three-game series beginning on Friday.

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS: LMU still has nine home games remaining to be played at Page Stadium. New ticket plans start at $50 for a General Admission season ticket, while Reserved season tickets can be purchased for $99. Members of LMU's Little Lions Club also get into all LMU home baseball games as part of the membership, while students, faculty and staff with a valid One Card also receive free General Admission access to every home game. Reserved season tickets behind home plate include a nameplate on your chair identifying your seat(s). Fans can also package a mini plan to include any five home games this year, with prices starting at $30. To purchase season tickets, mini plans or single-game tickets, please contact the LMU Box Office at 310-338-5466 or visit LMULions.com/tickets.