SAN DIEGO – The Loyola Marymount University Lions (12-22-1, 9-6 WCC) flipped the script with four runs in the ninth inning to win the final game of this series. The Lions offense was enough to take the match from USD (22-12, 9-6 WCC), 8-1. 

After allowing the Toreros to score an early run on an RBI double in the bottom of the first, LMU answered with three in the bottom half of the second inning. Grant Weiss tied the game after a sacrifice fly to left field by Cole Roberts. Diego Baqueiro came up clutch with a line drive to left field which allowed Benny Casillas to give the Lions a 2-1 lead.

The eighth inning opened with Dylan Dennis hitting to left field giving Grant Weiss the chance to advance to home plate allowing the Lions to increase their lead in the afternoon to 3-1. Ben Grunberg would follow Dennis with an almost identical hit to left field which would allow another run to be scored.

The Lions put in work to close the game out after the bases were loaded. Grant Weiss would step up to the plate and hit a home run down center field. The grand slam was the biggest moment of the day and proved to be the deciding factor of the day. 

Merrick Baldo pitched a gem in relief, tossing four shutout innings to keep the Lions within reach for the breakout inning that would come. Baldo allowed just three hits and struck out two out of the pen to put himself in position to become the pitcher of record.

LMU's season continues on the road beginning Monday in Las Vegas to face the UNLV Rebels.