LOS ANGELES – The Loyola Marymount University Lions (17-27-1, 12-9 WCC) erased a 3-0 deficit to defeat UC Irvine, 4-3.
UC Irvine's offense started early, with the visitors scoring two first inning runs and an additional run in the fourth inning off starting pitcher
Matt McClure.
The Lions made noise in the bottom of the fourth inning. Devin Ornelas reached on an infield single to lead off the inning then promptly stole second for LMU's first runner in scoring position of the game.
Diego Baqueiro was hit by the pitch to put two on with only one outs. The next batter,
Grant Weiss, singled to left but UC Irvine was able to pick Ornelas off after he rounded third.
LMU got on the board the following inning as
Cole Roberts doubled home
Dylan Dennis with a two-out swing that hit the center field wall on one bounce. Dennis singled earlier in the inning then swiped second to get into scoring position.
After a leadoff hit in the seventh Dennis plated
Brett Zimmerman with an RBI double down the line to bring the Lions within a run. Dennis advanced to third on a wild pitch and set up another RBI opportunity for
Cole Roberts. The LMU second baseman again came up clutch and hit a two-out RBI single up the middle to tie the game.
LMU took the lead in the eighth without recording a hit.
Grant Weiss and Patrick Start opened the inning with back-to-back hit by pitches.
Robbie Ayers then worked an eight-pitch walk to load the bases. After a foul out down the third base line,
Ben Grunberg legged out a fielder's choice to extend the inning and allow the go-ahead run to score.
The LMU bullpen did their job, not allowing a run in the 5.1 innings after replacing McClure.
Alex Burge pitched 2.1 no-hit innings.
Michael Nunez allowed the only hit from a reliever in his two innings of work to get the win.
Owen Hackman picked up the save with a perfect ninth and striking out two before a fly ball to center ended the game.
Page Stadium will host the PCH Cup this weekend with LMU playing their final home series of the season against Pepperdine. Games are scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
