BERKELEY – The Loyola Marymount University Lions (7-6, 0-0 WCC) dropped both games of the doubleheader 11-5 and 6-4 to the California Bears and will look for a series split tomorrow afternoon.
 
In the first game the Lions found themselves trailing by three early on and stormed right back with a pair of runs in the top of the second. Matt Voelker hit his first homerun of the season when his ball went over the right field wall scoring Tommy Delgado putting the Lions within one.
 
Getting the nod for the Saturday start Jimmy Galicia gave the Lions 4 2/3 innings worth of work with a pair of strikeouts and a walk.
 
Heading into the home half of the fifth the Lions were within striking distance but a five run inning followed by a pair of runs in the sixth put the game out of reach for LMU.
 
The Lions made things interesting in the top of the ninth when they plated three runs. Will Grimm started the inning with a walk and then stole second. With Grimm aboard Ryan Kawano earned a seven pitch walk putting two runners on. Ben Grunberg singled to center for the RBI and Julian Bury doubled scoring a pair of Lions. LMU couldn't get any closer as Diego Baqueiro grounded out to the shortstop putting a stop to the Lions rally and ended the game in Cal's favor.
 
Heading into the second game the Lions again found themselves down early and trailed by one after the first inning.
 
The Lions tied the game in the top of the third on a Baqueiro sacrifice fly scoring Kenny Oyama. With the score tied heading into the bottom of the third the Lions surrendered four runs in the frame but bounced right back with a run in the top of the fourth.
 
LMU pulled to within two runs in the visiting half of the fifth. Baqueiro got his second RBI when he singled up the middle scoring Alex Lambeau. Baqueiro was able to score on the Alec Cargin single and subsequent throwing error by the Bears.
 
Starting the second game of the double dip Owen Hackman threw three innings and had three strikeouts and four walks. The combination of Logan Hurd, Diego Barrera, and Alex Burge kept the Lions within striking distance as they provided five innings of three hit baseball with a pair of strikeouts and didn't allow the Bears a run.
 
The Lions were poised to take the lead in the top of the eighth, loading the bases with one out but an inning ending double play stalled the rally and a one-two-three ninth inning ended the day for LMU.
 
LMU and Cal are right back on the diamond tomorrow afternoon with the Lions turning to Matt McClure for the series split. First pitch between the Lions and Bears is slated for 12:00 p.m.