The Loyola Marymount Lions gutted out a tough 9-7 victory over UC Santa Barbara on Sunday afternoon and split the weekend two-game series 1-1.
 
The Lions and Gauchos sprinkled hits in the first two innings but didn't walk away with any runs until UCSB put five on the board in the top of the third. Jason Willow got the action started for UCSB when he doubled to left field and eventually scored along with Christian Kirtley on a double by Thomas Rowan. UCSB managed to put three more on the board making the five run top half of the inning the biggest output for the Gauchos.
 
LMU got into the box score in their bottom half of the fourth when junior Trevin Esquerra belted a double to left field bringing in Cooper Uhl and Steven Chavez. Sophomore Alex Lambeau got in on the fun too when he drove in Esquerra to bring in the Lions' third run of the game.
 
The scoring didn't stop there for the Lions as they put runs across the plate in the fifth and six taking a 6-5 lead into the seventh.
 
Junior Josh Agnew was the bearer of bad luck for the Lions as errors by both Chavez and Esquerra in the top half of the seventh allowed UCSB to pull ahead 7-6.
 
The Lions atoned for those fielding miscues by rallying in the eighth for three runs which was highlighted by Uhl's double bringing in both Nick Sogard and Dylan Hirsch. The highlight of the game however, was Uhl's aggressive play on the bases as he slid right past the tag of UCSB's Eric Yang to give the Lions the insurance run they needed.
 
Sophomore Matt Voelker came into the ball game in the top half of the ninth and gave up a hit before striking out the next two batters he faced then closed the door on UCSB by getting the final out on a ground ball to first baseman Steven Chavez.
 
The back and forth struggle was a good test early in the season for the Lions as they fought back from being down five to ultimately taking the lead and holding on for the victory. The brightest Lion of the day was definitely Uhl as he accounted for three hits, two runs and 4 RBI for LMU.
 
The Lions next take the field when they officially hit the road and take on UCLA Tuesday, February 19 at 6:00 p.m.