SANTA BARBARA, CA – The Loyola Marymount University Lions (2-9-1, 0-0 WCC) went toe-to-toe with UC Santa Barbara in their first road game of the season but late inning runs by the Gauchos proved to be the difference in the 4-2 setback.
 
The Lions first midweek road test got off to a good start in the top of the second with Khadim Diaw belting a one run homer deep over the left field wall. The home run was his first of the year and ninth for the Lions this season.
 
Michael Nunez drew the start for LMU and was the first of eight pitchers to take the mound. Nunez faced seven batters and struck out three against one walk in two innings of work.
 
The Gauchos tied the game in the bottom of the third and took the lead in the home half of the seventh but the Lions fought back in the top of the eighth.
 
The eighth inning began with a Jared Thomas single through the right side putting the tying run aboard. Thomas was aggressive on the base paths and stole second putting a runner in scoring position. Diego Baqueiro flied out to center advancing Thomas to third and Grant Weiss scored him with his sacrifice fly to left.
 
The bottom of the eighth proved to be the difference as UCSB pushed two runs across on a pair of hits.
 
LMU didn't give up and made things interesting in the top of the ninth. In the frame LMU put the tying run on base with the potential go-ahead run at the plate but a fly out to left ended the game in favor of UCSB.
 
The Lions continue their road trip with a three-game set against Cal State Fullerton with first pitch set for 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The series continues Saturday at 6:00 p.m. with the finale coming on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.