Photos By David Cohen / BHEphotos
David Cohen
5
Winner Loyola Marymount LMU 2-2
1
UC Riverside UCR 1-4
Winner
Loyola Marymount LMU
2-2
5
Final
1
UC Riverside UCR
1-4
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Loyola Marymount LMU 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 12 2
UC Riverside UCR 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 4 0

W: BENEDETTI, G (1-0) L: West, Kevin (0-1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Baseball Takes 5-1 Loss to LMU Before Weekend Series at San Jose State

RIVERSIDE, Calif.—While Riverside is known for its sunny skies and warm weather, it has been unforgiving to the UC Riverside Baseball team to begin the season.

Wednesday's game against Loyola Marymount was the third time in five games that the start time needed to be changed due to inclement weather. First pitch was moved from 6 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The Highlanders (1-4) pitching held the Lions scoreless through the final five innings, but the team was unable to manufacture enough offense to close the gap, taking a 5-1 loss to LMU.

LMU's offense got going quickly against right-hander Kevin West. The Highlanders allowed all five runs in the first four innings, along with 10 of the 12 hits.  

West finished the day allowing three runs on five hits in two innings for the loss. He also struck out three batters. Right-hander Abbott Haffar was the first man out of the bullpen, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits.

After that, the Highlanders bullpen was rock solid, especially left-hander Devin Mckesson, who retired LMU in order in the fifth and sixth innings and tallied two strikeouts.

"I thought the bullpen threw really well," head coach Troy Percival said. "Kevin also got some important work in and is on the way to becoming a weekend starter for us."

The Highlanders tried to make up some ground in the sixth inning. With two on and one out, Nick Kafer doubled to right center field, driving in the team's first run. LMU thwarted UCR's chance of more runs though when with runners on second and third, Dean Miller struck out swinging and Yeager Taylor grounded out to end the frame.

"We've had issues with runners in scoring position so far this season," Percival said. "Hopefully as we get further into the season and the guys get more experience that will change."

The Highlanders played some solid defense. With runners in scoring position and one out in the top of the seventh, first baseman Taylor dove to his right to stab a screaming line drive off the bat of LMU's Trevin Esquerra. He then quickly threw to second base, doubling up the Lions and ending the threat.

UCR will now head north for a three-game series against San Jose State that begins on Friday. Riley Ohl will start Friday's game, while Shamus Lyons will get the nod on Saturday and Jeremiah Priddy takes the hill on Sunday.