SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Opening the first of a three-game conference series on the Hilltop, the USF Dons baseball team (9-9, 0-4) came up short to the LMU Lions (10-9, 3-1) by a 6-2 final score on Friday afternoon at Benedetti Diamond. 

Tyler Martinez led the way for USF's offense on Friday against the Lions as he scored both of the Dons' runs on RBI from Mario DeMera and Harris Williams III. Making the start on Friday, Ryan Yerby gutted through 4 1/3 innings pitched while allowing four earned runs and striking out three LMU hitters in the process. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• The Lions got off to a quick start on Friday as they scored a pair of runs in the top of the first and then added three more runs on a home run to right field that gave the visitor's an early 5-0 lead through the first third of the game. 
• USF was able to start clawing their way back into the game starting in the bottom of the third as T. Martinez was able to beat out an infield single to third, reached second on a groundout and stole third to set up the Dons' first run of the game on DeMera's sacrifice fly to center field to get the Dons back within four runs heading into the fourth inning.
• T. Martinez was once again ready to get the momentum rolling for USF in the bottom of the fifth as he lined a base hit to center field, stole second base and then came around to score on Williams III's RBI double to right field that cut the Lions' lead down to 5-2 heading into the sixth inning. 
• LMU added their final run of the afternoon in the top of the seventh on an RBI single to right field that put them ahead 6-2 before their bullpen locked it down in the final innings as they earned the road victory on Friday. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

• T. Martinez had a nice day at the dish going 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and two stolen bases while playing left field for the Dons on Friday. 
• Williams III went 1-for-4 at the dish with a big RBI double off the wall in right field from the lead off spot against LMU.
• DeMera drove in the Dons' first run of the game and worked a key walk late in the game against the Lions.
• Coming out of the USF bullpen, Kai Burdick, Will Hearn, Gabriel Barrett and AC Cabrera each combined to toss 4 2/3 innings while allowing just one run and walking only two batters against LMU in the series opener. 

POST GAME WITH THE DONS:

• To view the highlights from today's game against LMU, please click here.
• To view today's post game press conference with USF head baseball coach Rob DiToma, please click here. 

UP NEXT:
USF now turns their attention to the second game of the series against LMU as they will return to action on Saturday, March 25 at 1:00 p.m. from Benedetti Diamond. Right-handed pitcher Adam Shew is slated to get the start for the Dons looking to even the series. Live streaming and live statistics for the contest are available via the team's schedule page. 
 
FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on the USF baseball program, be sure to follow @SFDonsBaseball on Twitter, @USFDonsBaseball on Instagram and @University.of.San.Francisco.Baseball on Facebook.
 
MERCHANDISE:
Want to dress like the Dons? Rep USF today by visiting the all-new USF Dons online store at www.usfdons.com/shop.
 
SPONSOR THE DONS:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge our department sponsor – Planet Orange - for their continued support of USF Athletics. Interested in sponsoring the Dons? Please contact Frank Allocco, the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director of External Relations, at fallocco@usfca.edu or at (415) 422-4561.