PROVO, Utah – The Loyola Marymount University Lions (18-31-1, 13-12 WCC) played a back-and-forth series opener against the BYU Cougars Thursday night in Provo, before the home team scored in the 10^th inning to take the game.
 
The Lions scored first with two runs plated in the top of the second. With two singles already putting runners on the corners, Ben Grunberg put the ball in play to score the game's opening run as the BYU second baseman committed an error. With Grunberg safe at first and Dylan Dennis advancing to second, Cole Roberts laid down a bunt to load the bases with only one out. Devan Ornelas hit a hard sacrifice fly to right to score a second run and push the Lions ahead, 2-0.
 
A sacrifice fly in the third inning put the Cougars on the board, and an RBI double in the fifth gave BYU their first lead, 3-2.
 
LMU responded by tying the game in the following half inning. Grunberg led off the top of the sixth with a double and moved to third on a Benny Casillas walk. Diego Baqueiro put the ball in play and scored Grunberg with a sac fly to center.
 
The game remained tied as Merrick Baldo put in 4.1 innings of shutout relief. After Diego Barerra struck out five in his start, Baldo added three Ks to retire the Cougars.
 
A wild double play sent the game to extras.  With one out and the winning runner on, BYU hit into a fielder's choice which resulted in an error. The Lions recovered by throwing the ball to Robbie Ayers who applied the tag on the runner attempting to score then quickly firing down the line to allow Baqueiro to end the inning with a second tag out.
 
The Lions could not capitalize on a leadoff double in the top of the 10^th and BYU took the game on a bases loaded wild pitch in the bottom of the 10^th.
 
The two teams return to play on Friday night at 5:00 PM PST.