Jason Gill's Loyola Marymount Lions came into Jackie Robinson Stadium on Tuesday and gave the No. 3 ranked UCLA Bruins all they could handle. The Lions battled throughout the night with threats in the first and sixth inning but ultimately fell to the Bruins 5-0.
 
The Lions threatened early in the first as the Bruins' Nick Nastrini was having trouble with his command. Both Cooper Uhl and Brandon Shearer drew walks but the Lions couldn't plate any of their runners as Steven Chavez struck out and Trevin Esquerra grounded to the shortstop. 
 
The Lions Mark Finkelnburg was strong in the early going but ran into trouble in the third after allowing an inning opening single to Will McInerny. Shaking off the hit, Finkelnburg got Chase Strumpf to fly out to center but then walked the next two batters loading the bases. After forcing in a run by walking another Bruin batter LMU's Kyle Mora came in relieve. Mora wasn't able to stop the bleeding as the Bruins plated three more runs pushing their lead to 4-0.
 
Both squads went quietly in their share of the fourth and fifth and the Lions threatened in the top of the sixth when Uhl walked and was followed by Brandon Shearer's single. Ryan Kawano singled up the middle loading the bases but Chase Reed wasn't able to get any runs on board as he struck out to end the sixth.
 
The Lions Kyle Mora made his season debut in relief and managed only giving up one hit and striking out three in 2.1 innings pitched. Mora along with freshman Alex Burge were strong in their relief appearances not allowing a run in their 5.1 innings pitched.
 
Shearer made the most of his plate appearances as he accounted for half the Lions hits on the night, the first coming being a double to right center in the fourth and single in the sixth upping his batting average on the season to .444.
 
The Lions don't have much time to lick their wounds as they head to Riverside tomorrow for a date with the Highlanders. First pitch is slated for 6:00 p.m.