BERKELEY – The Loyola Marymount University Lions (7-4, 0-0 WCC) posted their sixth double-digit hits game of the season to go along with strong pitching to take the opening contest of the four-game series against the California Bears 4-3 on Friday night.  
 
The Lions got off to a fast start by posting a pair of hits and a run in the visiting half of the first. Julian Bury singled up the middle and was moved along by Diego Baqueiro's double to center putting the pair in scoring position. Alec Cargin got his 11th RBI of the season when Bury scored off his ground out to third.
 
After giving up a run in the home half of the first the Lions got back in front of the Bears in the fourth. Kenny Oyama got a timely hit with two outs and two on to push the Lions ahead by a pair of runs. Dylan Dennis got aboard with a walk and Cole Roberts laid down a bunt single putting the duo on base setting the table for Oyama's single up the middle scoring the pair.
 
Starting in his fourth game for the Lions CJ Fernandezees put together 3 2/3 innings with a strikeout while surrendering three hits and two runs. He gave way to Alex Burge with the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth and the inning soon ended on a four pitch strikeout keeping the Lions ahead by one.
 
The pen put together a fantastic outing for head coach Nathan Choate with Burge getting his first win of the year and Holden Christian, Matt Voelker, and Josh Agnew each throwing an inning. Agnew picked up his second save of the year with a pair of strikeouts in the ninth to seal the win.  
 
Oyama, Bury, and Alex Lambeau each had two hits on the night while Cole Roberts led the Lions by going 3-for-4 and scoring a run.
 
Both teams go right back at it tomorrow afternoon for the first of two with right hander Jimmy Galicia getting the start in Game One and Owen Hackman picking up the nod for Game Two. First pitch of the doubleheader against the Bears is set for 2:00 p.m. with the second game slated to start at 6:00 p.m.