Feb. 7, 2006

Box Score

Irvine, Calif. - After the Lions had just tied the game at four in the top of the sixth, UC Irvine's Brock Bardeen tripled down the right field line in the bottom of the same inning to put the Anteaters back on top 6-4 in the mid-week match-up in Irvine, Calif. UCI (3-1) then held LMU (1-3) scoreless in the final three innings to hold on for the win.

LMU had cut UCI's lead to just one at 4-3 in the fifth when A.J. LaMonda and Chris Pettit started the rally by putting up back-to-back leadoff singles. Erik Johnson sacrificed the runners over, allowing Eric Farris' single to right to score both of them.

LMU reliever Andy Beal came out in the bottom of the fifth to hold UCI scoreless for the first time of the game by retiring the side.

The Lions took advantage of Beal's work and tied the game at four after Michael Glomb singled and later scored on a wild pitch by Chris Lopez.

LMU starter Brian Wilson had struggled early, loading the bases in both the first and second innings. But after walking in the second run of the game in the second, Wilson regained control to retire the next three batters, including striking out the final two.

UC Irvine pushed a third run across in the third inning and still had runners on first and third with two outs. But second baseman Eric Farris helped Wilson get out of the third without further damage by making a diving catch in shallow right field to save the blooper from dropping in and scoring the additional run.

The Lions got on the board in the fourth when Casey Gordon's single to center scored Kyle Mura, who had been hit by UCI reliever Travis Rhymes and advanced to third on Sean Dovel's infield single.

LaMonda finished a perfect 3-for-3 with a run scored to lead the Lions. Farris added the two RBI.

Taylor Holiday and Chad Lundahl led the Anteaters with 2-for-4 efforts at the plate.

Lopez earned the win for UCI, while Beal suffered his first loss of 2006 for the Lions. UCI All-American Blake Erickson earned his second save of the season.

The Lions will host Cal Poly for their home opener this Friday at 2:00 p.m. at Page Stadium. The three-game series with the Mustangs will continue through the weekend, with all games being carried on Lions' All-Access and Gametracker at www.LMULions.com.

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