LOS ANGELES – The Loyola Marymount University Lions (1-3, 0-0 WCC) scored two runs early and got strong starting pitching but couldn't overcome a series of miscues in the sixth inning and fell to UCLA 5-2 on Tuesday night.
 
Appearing in his second game of the young season, Diego Barrera had his best outing responding with four innings of three hit baseball. He had four strikeouts and at one point retired eight Bruin batters in a row. The only trouble he faced, was in the bottom of the fourth with a pair of runners in scoring position and two outs but a lineout straight into the glove of Diego Baqueiro ended the inning and UCLA rally.
 
The Lions got their runs in the visiting half of the second after cashing in on a UCLA error. Alec Cargin reached on the error to start the inning and moved around the bases on a Grant Weiss double to put the pair in scoring position. Cargin scored on a Dylan Dennis grounder then Alex Lambeau brought home Weiss with his bunt single.
 
LMU held off the Bruins in the fourth and fifth when they had a pair of runners on but couldn't hold the lead in the bottom of the sixth. In the inning, LMU had a pass ball, throwing error and wild pitch which resulted in four UCLA runs.
 
The Lions threatened in the top of the eighth, loading the bases on a pair of singles and a walk but Matt Voelker popped up in foul territory to end the inning and potential LMU rally.
 
Kenny Oyama and Lambeau each had a pair of singles to continue their hot hitting to start the year. Oyama notched his seventh and eighth hits of the season while Lambeau has six through four games.
 
LMU went down in order in the visiting half of the ninth and will look to rebound this weekend when Utah pays a visit to Page Stadium. The Lions and Utes will open up the three-game set Friday night with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m.