SPOKANE, WASH. - The Loyola Marymount University Lions (15-26-1, 11-8 WCC) nearly erased a four-run deficit on Friday night before dropping the series opener to Gonzaga, 14-5.
 
The Zags put a four-run fourth inning together off the LMU starter Diego Barrera. The runs came after the Lions took the lead after Ben Grunberg came up with RBI single, which allowed Dylan Dennis to take the early lead through two innings. 
 
Barrera  pitched for eight innings and allowed five runs for the game. LMU's Friday night starter tossed 97 total pitches, and struck out four,  in his 34 batters faced.
 
The Lions put up three runs on the board for Barrera. After going down by four runs, the Lions were able to cut the deficit by two in the eighth inning. The visiting Lions fought until the end but the Zags closed the game to see them win the Series Opener.
 
The two teams will return to Patterson Baseball Complex Stadium on Saturday at 6:00 PM for the second game of the weekend.