SANTA CLARA, CA – The Loyola Marymount University Lions (6-14-1, 3-1 WCC) took a two run lead into the ninth inning but couldn't hold on and fell in extras 4-3 to the Santa Clara Broncos for their first West Coast Conference defeat of the season.
 
Diego Barrera got the Friday night nod and was spectacular on the mound for the Lions. He had the Broncos guessing all night and when it was all said and done, put together 8.0 innings of one run baseball. He had five strikeouts and no walks against 28 Bronco batters.
 
The Lions got on the board early by turning an opening game walk into a run when Diego Baqueiro flied out to center for the sacrifice fly, scoring Devan Ornelas.
 
Santa Clara tied the game at one in the bottom of the second on the only extra base hit Barrera would allow all night. 
 
The starters for both teams worked quickly throughout the night as the game went scoreless from the third through the seventh.
 
In the top of the eighth LMU got a single from Benny Casillas and then Jared Thomas struck for his third home run of the season and second in as many games. His towering shot over the right field wall put the Lions up by two. 
 
Heading into the bottom of the ninth with a two run lead the Lions gave one back off a single and the tying run on a wild pitch. LMU got out of the frame by striking out the Broncos, sending the game into extra innings. 
 
LMU would put a runner on in the top of the 10th but a fly out ended their half of the frame. In the bottom half three singles proved to be the difference as the last plated the winning run in favor of the Broncos. 
 
The Lions and Broncos return to the diamond tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. with Matt McClure going opposite Jared Feikes.