MORAGA – The Loyola Marymount University Lions (17-27, 10-12 WCC) fell behind early, fought back midway through, lost the lead, then retook it in a seesaw win against Saint Mary's 9-7 on Friday afternoon.
 
The Lions fell behind early, trailing by three, after two full innings were played but put together 11 hits and nine runs to go along with solid work from Josh Agnew and the bullpen which proved to be the difference.
 
Agnew was superb on the bump for the Lions after shaking off the slow start to begin the game. He gave up three runs in the first two frames but settled down afterwards and threw 6 2/3 innings of solid baseball. Agnew struck out four while issuing a pair of walks and seven hits and at one point retired 12-straight Saint Mary's batters.
 
Heading into the visiting half of the third the Lions were without a hit and down by three but worked a pair of walks and wild pitches for their first run of the game.
 
In the visiting half of the fourth Dylan Dennis sent a double to left center scoring Tommy Delgado for the Lions second run of the game.
 
The Lions kept the offense going in the top of the fifth when Matthew Piotrowski got aboard with a two out single. With Piotrowski on base Julian Bury sent the second pitch he saw in the at bat over the right field wall for his second homerun of the season pushing LMU ahead by a run.
 
With the Lions up by one Agnew was an out away from closing the door in the bottom of the seventh but a single by the Gaels kept the inning alive.
 
Agnew would be relieved by Holden Christian and with what appeared to be the third out in the frame called off by a catcher's interference allowed Saint Mary's to extend the inning. With the inning extended Saint Mary's took advantage and put four runs on the board to retake the lead.
 
Heading into the visiting half of the eighth the Lions put together solid plate appearances to fight their way back in front. Matt Voelker started the inning with a single and was followed by a Delgado double. With the pair on Dennis sent a single to left center scoring them both and getting the Lions within a run.
 
The Lions tied the game on a Saint Mary's error by the third basemen scoring Dylan Hirsch and putting Kenny Oyama on base. Oyama promptly stole second putting the go ahead run in scoring position. With Oyama at second Piotrowski hit a triple to right giving LMU a lead they wouldn't give up.
 
LMU got an insurance run in the top half of the ninth on an RBI single from Will Grimm and in the bottom half Voelker picked up his fifth save of the season.
 
The Lions and Gaels continue their series tomorrow afternoon when Matt McClure goes opposite Sam Bower. First pitch between the Lions and Gaels is slated for 1:00 p.m.