STOCKTON, CA – The Loyola Marymount University Lions (10-19-1, 7-4 WCC) trailed early on Saturday afternoon and fought back to take the lead midway through game but late inning runs by Pacific proved to be the difference in the 12-7 setback.
 
The Lions turned to Matt McClure for the Saturday start and after a shaky first inning he settled down to produce 4.2 innings worth of work. He struck out one Pacific batter against three walks while surrendering six runs. 
 
LMU got on the board in the visiting half of the second courtesy of a Dylan Dennis 2 RBI single to cut the deficit in half. On the day Dennis went 2-for-4 with a double, 3 RBIs, and scored a run.
 
In the top of the fourth the Lions scored their third run of the game on a Tigers wild pitch. For the game Pacific had five wild pitches. 
 
The Lions pushed ahead 5-4 in the top of the fifth with a pair of runs off back-to-back doubles from Brett Zimmerman and Dennis. The lead however was short lived as Pacific put three on the board in the home half.
 
LMU got within one in the top of the sixth when Devan Ornelas sent a shot over the right field wall for his third home run of the season. 
 
Diego Baqueiro hit his team leading seventh home run of the season in the top of the ninth but it wasn't enough to catch the Tigers.
 
LMU and Pacific will play in the rubber match tomorrow afternoon to decide the series winner. First pitch from Stockton is slated for 1:00 p.m. with the Lions Quinn Lavelle set to go against the Tigers Zach Patterson.