Spokane, WASH. - LMU dropped a tough one to Gonzaga 4-3 on Thursday evening in Spokane, falling despite a gutsy early effort and a historic individual moment.

The Lions got on the board quickly in the 2nd inning, plating a pair of unearned runs with the help of a Gonzaga error. Matt Moreno and Jake Lyall each drove in a run to give LMU an early 2-0 advantage.

Moreno then added to the lead in the 4th inning with his first career home run, a solo shot to deep left field that pushed the score to 3-0 and had the Lions in firm control through the early going. It was a no-doubt shot on a 2-1 count that had the Lions dugout celebrating.

The game turned decisively in the bottom of the 5th. Jonah Johnson had been largely effective through four innings, but a wild pitch moved two Gonzaga runners into scoring position and opened the door. Ricky Sanchez brought one home with an RBI single, and then Mikey Bell delivered the knockout blow, a three-run home run to left-center that erased the Lions' lead and put Gonzaga ahead 4-3 in a matter of moments. That four-run inning proved to be the difference.

Johnson ultimately took the loss despite a workmanlike outing, going seven full innings and surrendering just one earned run before the Bell home run did the damage. On the other side, Justin Feld was dominant for Gonzaga, striking out 12 Lions in 6.2 innings.

Offensively, Moreno was the clear bright spot, going 2-for-4 with both RBI and the milestone homer. 

The series continues on Saturday at 6 p.m. (PT).