MORAGA, Calif (reported virtually from Los Angeles). — Loyola Marymount University baseball pulled off a dramatic ninth-inning comeback to defeat Saint Mary’s 6-5 on Saturday afternoon at Louis Guisto Field, improving to 23-21 overall and 10-7 in WCC play.
Trailing 4-2 heading into the final frame, LMU sparked its rally with a leadoff single by Joe Reid. Cam Hassert followed by getting hit by a pitch, setting the stage for the moment of the game. Beau Ankeney, a redshirt junior, delivered in the clutch with a towering three-run homer down the left field line, flipping the score in LMU’s favor. Two batters later, senior Robbie Ayers added insurance with a solo shot to right, giving the Lions a 6-4 edge.
The Gaels responded with a solo home run in the bottom half to close the gap, but LMU’s bullpen held firm. Closer Zack Mack induced a double play and a groundout to seal the win, earning his fourth save of the season.
Pitching played a pivotal role in keeping LMU within striking distance throughout the contest. Starter Avery Laine tossed the first four innings, while sophomore Adam Behrens contributed three scoreless frames in relief. Senior Jacob Hughes (1-3) picked up the win with a clean eighth inning that featured a strikeout.
Offensively, the Lions spread the production. Reid finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored, Hassert reached base three times and swiped a bag, and freshman Nate Savoie chipped in two doubles. Ankeney’s four-RBI day proved crucial in the Lions’ nine-hit output.
Despite being outhit 14-9, LMU capitalized on key moments and played error-free defense. Saint Mary’s fell to 21-20 and 6-8 in the WCC with the loss.
LMU’s thrilling 6-5 comeback win over Saint Mary’s showcased the Lions’ fighting spirit and late-game ability to seize an opportunity. After trailing by two runs in the ninth, the Lions scored four runs courtesy of Beau Ankeney’s three-run go-ahead homer and Robbie Ayers’ solo shot. The bullpen was just as effective as Jacob Hughes got the win and Zack Mack got his fourth save for slamming the door. With nine hits as a team, solid base running, and timely pitching LMU moved to 23-21 and 10-7 in WCC competition. The Lions will look to carry that momentum into the series finale on Sunday as they continue to push forward through the postseason.
As the regular season winds down and every game carries more weight, Saturday’s victory may have been pivotal for LMU’s season, as the Lions showed composure, experience, and youth. The offense is finding their league rhythm, and with the performance of LMU’s bullpen heading into the final stretch of the season, gets me excited to watch the players grow. Look for the opportunity to win a key WCC series in the finale on Sunday to help build momentum heading into the final stretch.
