LOS ANGELES, CA – The Loyola Marymount University Lions (0-1, 0-0 WCC) got on the board first, then gave up the lead, and fell just a bit short in their season opener 8-5 to the University of Utah at Page Stadium on Friday night.
 
The Lions didn't waste any time scoring their first runs of the new season in the home half of the first but a five run top half of the second proved to be too much to overcome.
 
LMU, trailing by six in the bottom of the fifth, got right back in the game off the bat of Diego Baqueiro with his first home run of the season. Baqueiro went deep over the right field wall propelling the Lions to within three. 
 
LMU continued their comeback, adding a run in the home half of the sixth but couldn't get enough offense in the final three innings to complete the comeback.
 
The Lions and Utes return to Page for the second game of the three-game set with first pitch slated for 6:00 p.m. LMU will turn to righty Matt McClure while the Utes will counter with righty Randon Hostert.