LOS ANGELES – The Loyola Marymount University Lions (15-25-1, 11-8 WCC) dropped a non-conference game on Tuesday night to the UC Riverside Highlanders, 6-1.
 
The visitors scored first, benefitting from a second inning solo shot down the right field line.
 
LMU used a two-out RBI single off the bat of Devan Ornelas in the fourth inning to tie the score at 1-all. Dylan Dennis scored on the play after singling earlier in the frame.
 
UC Riverside responded with runs over the next three innings to jump back on top 6-1. The Highlanders scored twice in the fifth to end Matt McClure's night and twice in the sixth off Alex Burge.
 
Michael Nunez put away all four of the batters he faced, and Owen Hackman struck out three batters in his inning pitched.
 
A leadoff single by Robbie Ayers and a one out Ben Grunberg walk in the top of the ninth put pressure on the Highlanders, but the Lions were unable to bring them home.
 
The Lions totaled nine hits with Dennis, Ornelas, Grant Weiss each claiming a pair of singles.
 
A big conference series awaits LMU this weekend, as the second place Lions travel north to face the WCC leading Gonzaga Bulldogs for a three-game series.