LOS ANGELES – The Loyola Marymount University Lions (8-17-1, 5-3 WCC) benefitted from a 5-RBI performance from their shortstop and a strong outing from their starting pitcher to earn the 6-2 win over Portland.
 
The Lions made noise first with the first four batters reaching and scoring in the bottom of the third inning. Ben Grunberg, Cole Roberts, and Devan Ornelas opened the frame with three consecutive singles to load the bases for Benny Casillas. The number two hitter wasted no time, taking the first pitch he saw in the inning over the Blue Monster to give LMU a 4-0 advantage.
 
Matt McClure faced the minimum in each of the first five innings to set the tone for the Lions to shut down Portland on Saturday night. McClure allowed his first hit in the sixth inning, a solo shot, and his second hit the same way in the seventh. After allowing a leadoff single to open the eighth, McClure left the game to a standing ovation for his outing.
 
Following both solo shots that McClure allowed, LMU responded in the bottom half of those innings. Patrick Start added a run with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth and Casillas picked up his fifth run batted in with a double in the bottom of the seventh. Casillas finished the game 3-for-4 finishing just a triple shy of the cycle.
 
Alex Burge relieved McClure and went 1.1 innings. Michael Nunez earned the save with the final two outs but did allow a run to score on a bases loaded walk in the top of the ninth which was charged to Burge.
 
The two teams will each look to pick up a series win on Sunday with the rubber match slated for 1:00 PM.