SAN FRANCISCO – The Loyola Marymount University Lions (9-15, 2-5 WCC) got ahead on an Alec Cargin homerun and Kenny Oyama two-run triple in the fourth but couldn't maintain the lead falling in their West Coast Conference matchup with the University of San Francisco 4-3.
 
LMU knocked on the door the first three innings of the game, putting runners in scoring position, and finally broke through in the visiting half of the fourth.
 
Starting off the fourth inning Cargin took the third pitch he saw well over the left field wall for his fifth homerun of the season pushing the Lions ahead by one. The rally wasn't over there as Will Grimm reached on an error and Cole Roberts doubled to left field putting two runners in scoring position. Oyama didn't waste any time as he sent a shot to left center for a two-run triple giving LMU a three run lead.
 
The Lions lead wouldn't hold for long as the Dons plated four in the home half of the frame giving them a one-run advantage.
 
Josh Agnew made his first start of the season and threw 3 2/3 innings with a pair of strikeouts against 19 USF batters but suffered his first loss on the year. LMU's bullpen was efficient once again with the combination of Alex Burge and Holden Christian giving up just one hit while striking out four to keep the Lions close.
 
LMU went quietly in the sixth, seventh, and eighth but got close to tying the game in the top of the ninth.
 
Ryan Kawano started off with a pinch hit single up the middle. LMU moved the pinch runner Dylan Hirsch to second off Dylan Dennis' sacrifice bunt. With a runner in scoring position the Lions couldn't get the tying run as both Evan Leibl and Alex Lambeau struck out to end the rally and game in favor of the Dons.
 
The two teams are right back at it tomorrow afternoon for game two of the three-game set. First pitch between the Lions and Dons is set for 1:00 p.m. and will see CJ Fernandezees go opposite Josh Mollerus.