SAN FRANCISCO — LMU exploded for eight runs in the eighth inning and piled up 16 hits overall as the Lions overwhelmed San Francisco 17–4 on Friday night at Benedetti Diamond in the series opener. 

After falling behind early, LMU took control with a string of productive innings and never looked back, recording their most runs in a conference game this season. 

LMU broke through in the top of the second, when Zion Williams doubled to right field and later came home on a wild pitch to give the Lions a 1–0 lead. San Francisco answered in the bottom half, capitalizing on a walk, a single, and a sacrifice bunt. Back-to-back run-producing plays, including a wild pitch, handed the Dons a 2–1 advantage. 

The Lions responded in the third inning, fueled by a walk, a hit-by-pitch, and Beau Ankeney's RBI single up the middle to tie it. A balk moved two runners into scoring position, and Kolton Freeman capitalized with a two-run single to put LMU ahead by a pair. 

San Francisco briefly pulled even in the bottom half on Kenny DeCelle's two-run homer to left, his second hit of the game. But that was the last time the Dons would threaten the lead. 

In the top of the fourth, LMU strung together five hits and took advantage of a hit-by-pitch and a balk. Devan Ornelas doubled in two runs to break the tie, followed by a two-run single from Williams and an RBI knock from Freeman to stretch the lead to 9–4. 

The eighth inning proved to be the dagger. Nate Savoie singled and reached second on a misplay in left, and Ornelas was hit by a pitch to put two aboard. Williams knocked in a run with a single, and then Ornelas stole home as part of a double steal. Moments later, Robbie Ayers launched a two-run homer, his fourth of the season. LMU added three more runs, aided by a pair of hit batters and a throwing error, to cap off an eight-run frame. 

Standout Performers 

• Zion Williams went 3-for-5 with 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored, also stealing two bases. 

• Devan Ornelas was 3-for-5 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs scored. 

• Kolton Freeman added a 2-for-6 line with 3 RBIs. 

• Robbie Ayers finished 2-for-4 with a home run and 2 RBIs. 

Reliever Michael Nunez threw 4.2 scoreless innings in relief to earn the win. He struck out five and allowed just four baserunners.  

San Francisco managed just six hits in total and was held scoreless over the final six innings.