LOS ANGELES - A go-ahead two-run single from
Joe Reid in the bottom of the sixth and a shutdown relief effort from
Zack Mack lifted LMU to a 3-2 win over Santa Clara on Thursday night at Page Stadium in the opener of a West Coast Conference series.
HOW IT HAPPENED
LMU got on the board in the bottom of the first, when freshman
Nate Savoie connected on a solo home run to straightaway center, his tenth of the season, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead.
Santa Clara (14-20, 3-7 WCC) responded with a two-run top of the fourth. A pair of singles and a walk set the table, and the Broncos tied the game on an RBI single and pulled ahead on an obstruction ruling, making it 2-1.
In the bottom of the sixth, Robbie Ayers singled up the middle and moved to second on Zion Williams' base hit to left. After a wild pitch advanced both into scoring position, Joe Reid came through with a two-out, two-strike single to left to score both runners and push LMU in front, 3-2.
Mack shut the door with three scoreless innings, striking out three and allowing just one baserunner to earn his second save of the year.
ON THE MOUND
- Kenji Pallares (W, 3-3) went six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits with five strikeouts.
- Zack Mack (S, 2) earned the save with three hitless frames, retiring nine of the ten batters he faced.
AT THE PLATE
- Joe Reid: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, game-winning single
LMU out-hit Santa Clara 7-6 and drew five walks while striking out 14 Bronco hitters.
