The Loyola Marymount Lions (20-11, 9-3 WCC) ran out in front early and then held on late to take the third game against San Francisco 6-5, ultimately winning the series two games to one. 
 
LMU scored right from the onset getting three runs in the visiting half of the first inning. Cooper Uhl drilled a Grant Nechak 0-2 offering to left field for a double and was followed by a Brandon Shearer walk. With two men on Trevin Esquerra doubled to right center driving in two. Tommy Delgado kept the rally going with a single to center scoring Esquerra giving LMU their third run of the game. 
 
The Lions kept the pressure on the Dons by adding to their lead in the top of the second and third. In the road half of the second Shearer doubled and scored Uhl but was then picked off ending the top portion of the inning. In the third, freshman Ethan Patrick singled to right scoring Esquerra who earlier was hit by a pitch. Sophomore Kenny Oyama laid down the perfect sacrifice bunt plating Delgado who got aboard on a double down the left field line and then advanced to third on the Patrick single. 
 
LMU's six run lead was cut in half by the Dons in the bottom of the third. USF got two runs off Tyler Villaroman's bases clearing triple forcing head coach Jason Gill to call on his bullpen. Sophomore Matt Voelker came in and was the bearer of some bad luck as Jonathan Allen's single died in front of Sogard as he tried to make the barehanded play allowing Villaroman to score for the Dons third run. 
 
The Dons cut it even closer in the bottom of the fourth scoring two runs off the bats of Brandon Greim and Chase Hodkinson, cutting the Lions once comfortable lead to one. 
 
The game, for all of its early runs, turned into a battle of the bullpens as both starting pitchers went 2.0 innings giving way to their respective pens. The Lions pen gave Gill 7.0 innings conceding eight hits while striking out nine, walking three and giving up two runs. The Dons pen surrendered three hits, two walks and didn't allow a run while striking out seven LMU batters.
 
The Dons made it interesting in the bottom of the ninth getting a pair of singles off Nick Frasso. With men on the corners USF's Riley Helland hit a soft dribbler to Esquerra who tossed the perfect throw to Uhl nailing Villaroman at home. With two down, Frasso was able to put the final nail in the series when he struck out Allen on a 1-2 fastball sealing the victory for LMU.  
 
The Lions now turn their focus down the 5 freeway for a mid-week game against San Diego State. First pitch between the Lions and Aztecs at Tony Gwynn Stadium is set for 6:00 p.m.