LOS ANGELES, Calif. --- Lions starting pitcher Aaron Griffen threw a 10-inning complete game, outdueling Pilots sophomore Chris Johnson as Portland fell 3-2 to Loyola Marymount on Sunday afternoon in a battle of West Coast Conference opponents. Senior third baseman Riley Henricks homered for the Pilots, while left fielder Joe Vierra drove in the winning run for the Lions in the 10^th.

 

Johnson allowed 2 runs in 7 1/3 innings, senior Chris Dennis threw 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, and senior Brent Miller (4-3) allowed 1 run in 2/3 of an inning to suffer the loss. The Pilots struggled on offense, managing only 2 runs on 7 hits in the 10-inning affair. Henricks’ home run started the scoring for Portland (21-29, 8-10 WCC), and sophomore first baseman Brian Frattali drove in the Pilots only other run with an RBI single in the 4^th.

 

For the Lions, Aaron Griffen (7-3) spun a complete-game gem, striking out 5, walking none and allowing just 2 runs on 7 hits in 10 innings. Loyola Marymount (27-24, 8-10 WCC) also struggled on offense, scoring just 3 runs. Vierra and second baseman Jonathan Johnson drove in runs for the Lions, and designated hitter Matt Koch scored on a throwing error in the 4^th.

 

The victory dropped the Pilots into a tie with the Lions for 4^th place in the West Coast Conference.

 

Portland will return to Joe Etzel Field for the final homestand of the season, facing off against Oregon and Santa Clara to finish the year.