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LMU just completed its 8th weekend series this season, against conference opponent Santa Clara. The Lions remain unbeaten in series play, putting their record at 7-0-1. The Lions looked to extend their historic win streak to nine games, but came up short with a 10-3 loss in the Friday night opener. However, they recovered, winning the last two games of the series.
Friday starter Blake Redman opened the series on a flat note, allowing 4 runs in the first, 3 unearned. Lions pitching came on strong on both Saturday and Sunday, though. On Saturday, Brenton Arriaga gave up only 2 runs and 4 hits in seven innings of work. He struck out six and issued zero walks. Harrison Simon sealed the win with 1 run, 2 hits, 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. Carrying a shutout into the ninth on Sunday, pitchers Cory Abbott and Codie Paiva allowed only 1 run and 8 hits. Abbott is now 6-1, with over 29 consecutive innings without an earned run. Paiva shut down the Broncos, allowing only 3 hits and one unearned run. Though he did not get the save, Codie Paiva’s record is 5-0. Paiva, a native of Pearl City, Hawaii, gave up one hit to former teammate Tyler Meditz. Both attended Kamehameha HS in Hawaii.
Lions offense impressed, scoring 21 runs over the four day stretch. Shortstop Spencer Erdman returned after breaking his hand during the series against Arizona State. He made his comeback by starting all three games against Santa Clara, and hitting two singles and two RBI doubles throughout the weekend. After taking the series against the Broncos, the Lions returned to action on Monday night to face the #30 ranked University of Washington Huskies. The game could have gone the Lions’ way, but after 10 innings, the Lions fell 8-7. While the game had some dramatic moments, it was also the longest of the season, clocking in at 4 hours and 29 minutes.
On Monday, the Lions got off to a rocky start, allowing 4 total runs in the first, 3 unearned, and committing three errors before even coming up to bat. LMU used six pitchers in the outing. Freshman Giuseppe Benedetti started the night, but was pulled after 4 innings. Harrison Simon threw scoreless eighth and ninth innings on only one day rest, but could not close the door on the Huskies. The loss goes to Niko Decolati, who drops to 1-1.
The lead traded back and forth for much of the game, but the damage was done in the fifth when Huskie batter MJ Hubbs crushed a two-run homer to tie the game at 6. Each team scored one more run, forcing extra innings at 7 runs apiece. In the bottom of the tenth, LMU had two runners on base with one out when a hard hit ball from catcher Cooper Uhl came close to providing the Lions’ 4th walk-off win. The ball dropped just inside the fence, however, for the second out. Billy Wilson grounded out to second base to end the game. Spencer Erdman finished the game 3-for-5 with two runs scored, two doubles, a triple and four RBI’s. Junior Jamey Smart also had three hits, going 3-for-5 with a double.
LMU’s record is now 21-12. They are currently behind the University of San Diego for third place in the WCC.
The Lions will head up to Moraga, CA, for another weekend of WCC play against St. Mary’s, before returning on Tuesday to face non-conference Cal State Northridge. Tuesday’s game had been rescheduled from March 21st because of a rainout. First pitch is at 6:00 PM. See you there?
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