LOS ANGELES – The Loyola Marymount University Lions (14-25, 7-11 WCC) got solid pitching to start the game but a late inning surge by Oregon State proved to be the difference in the Beavers 8-5 series finale win.
Jimmy Galicia drew the Wednesday start and was solid for the Lions. Galicia opened the game with a pair of strikeouts and retired the first seven batters he faced before issuing a walk in the top of the third. Galicia finished his four innings on the hill with five strikeouts while surrendering one hit and one run against 15 Oregon State batters.
The Lions offense found a spark courtesy of an Oregon State error in the home half of the third.
Alex Lambeau reached on a throwing error by the Beavers shortstop which put him in scoring position and
Julian Bury took advantage. Bury singled to center for the RBI and then stole second putting him in scoring position. LMU benefitted off another Beaver error which allowed Bury to score to get the Lions on the board with a pair of runs.
LMU increased their lead in the bottom of the fifth when Bury got his second hit of the game bringing
Alec Cargin to the plate. Cargin didn't waste any time and sent a towering shot off the left field wall for a double bringing in the Lions third run of the game.
Adam Christopher came on in relief of Galicia and was unhittable for his two innings worth of work. Christopher faced eight Oregon State batters and had three strikeouts and one walk while not allowing a run or hit.
Heading into the visiting half of the seventh the Lions held a two-run lead but a pair of errors to go along with four hits which pushed the Beavers to seven runs in the frame.
The Lions picked up a pair of runs in the home half of the eighth courtesy of two errors by the Oregon State right fielder to inch closer to the Beavers.
LMU opened the bottom of the ninth with a walk but weren't able to get anything going and ended the game with three straight outs.
The Lions return to West Coast Conference play this weekend when Santa Clara pays a visit to Page Stadium. The three-game set against the Broncos starts on Friday night with first pitch slated for 6:00 p.m.
