Baseball's Comeback Falls Short at LMU in Series Opener
LOS ANGELES – The Utah baseball team dropped its series opener against Loyola Marymount 7-6 on Friday, February 26 at Page Field.
The Utes found themselves in a hole early, but clawed back with a huge sixth inning where they scored six runs to get within one of the Lions.
Jaylon McLaughlin had a big day at the plate going 3-5 with two doubles and one RBI.
LMU built a 7-0 lead early in the game, but Utah responded in the sixth inning.
McLaughlin led things off with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. After a hit by pitch and walk, the bases were loaded for Kai Roberts. He singled to center scoring one run and then Isaac Deveaux reached base on an error allowing another run to score.
Next up, Tyler Thompson knocked a single to score another run followed by Christopher Rowan, Jr. drawing a bases-loaded walk to score the fourth run of the inning. Matt Richardson got another run across and McLaughlin got his second hit of the inning bringing the Utes within one of the Lions.
The Utes threatened in the seventh, eighth and ninth, but couldn't get a run across to tie up the score at seven.
Utah had 10 hits on the night and stranded seven runners.
Justin Kelly pitched 6.0 innings allowing five earned runs. He struck out four. Brett Brocoff came on for Kelly in relief and pitched 2.0 innings holding the Lions scoreless the rest of the way.
The Utes will be back against LMU two more times this weekend. Tomorrow they will play at 7 p.m. MT. David Watson will be on the mound for the Utes.