LOS ANGELES – Devan Ornelas and Jared Thomas each notched a big fly, but it was not enough to overcome San Jose State as the Lions fell to the Spartans 7-6 on Friday night behind a lively crowd at Page Stadium. 

 

The Lions (0-1) spotted the Spartans (1-0) three runs in the top of the second inning. After a pair of singles to open the inning, the starting pitcher, Diego Barrera, induced a comebacker that he snagged and fired to third. The throw went wide of third allowing a runner to score and advancing another to third. The Spartans would knock an RBI single through the right side to plate the other two for a three-run lead. 

 

That set the stage for Ornelas in the bottom of the fourth. Senior second baseman Cole Roberts reached on a single to left field after a lengthy at-bat. Ornelas followed up by swinging at the first pitch and belting a two-run shot over the right-field wall.  

 

LMU would tie things up an inning later. Thomas walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on a Diego Baqueiro flyout, and then scored on a chopper to third by Khadim Diaw.  

 

The Spartans would put up four in the top of the seventh and hold the Lions scoreless until the bottom of the ninth. 

 

LMU put the pressure on with their backs to the wall. Roberts and Ornelas were issued back-to-back walks to open the frame. Both advanced an additional 90 feet on a wild pitch. Sam Biller laced a ball up the middle that was snagged by the pitcher forcing the runners to hold. After Benny Casillas struck out, Thomas battled before hammering a ball into the Los Angeles night, bringing the Lions within a run. 

 

Baqueiro flew out to center field a batter later to end the game. 

 

Barerra went 4.2 innings and struck out six, including striking out the side in the top of the first. The senior allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits and no free passes.  

 

Seamus Barrett made his debut on the bluff with 1.1 innings of scoreless relief.  

 

David Watson followed Barrett and was tagged for four runs and took the decision. 

 

Jimmy Galicia and Chaz McRoberts finished the game with 2.1 innings of scoreless relief. 

 

Thomas, the senior catcher, reached base three times and made an impressive defensive play in the seventh inning. Dylan Dennis fielded a ground ball and fired home to save a run, but the throw was high. Thomas leapt, made the catch and was upended by the Spartan slide. The runner was ruled out and Thomas was shaken up but finished off the game. 

 

The Lions have two more opportunities against the Spartans: Saturday, Feb. 18 at 6:00 p.m. (PT) and Sunday, Feb. 19 at 1:00 p.m. (PT). Tickets for both games will be available at LMULions.com and both games will be live streamed on the WCCNetwork.