Lions Rally to Defeat Bruins, 7-5

Tim Williams broke a 5-5 tie with a two-run home run in the eighth inning and reliever Joe Caruso struck out five batters in the last two innings as Loyola Marymount beat UCLA, 7-5, Wednesday at Westwood.

The Lions broke a three-game losing streak and improved to 3-4. UCLA fell to 1-2. Lion starter Chad Dembisky (1-1) got the victory.

Loyola trailed, 5-4, entering the eighth inning, but parlayed a hit batter, base hit, sacrifice and error into a run. Pinch-runner Todd Gates also tried to score on the error, but was called out on a close play at the plate.

That left Anthony Napolitano at second base with two out when Williams sent a drive over the right-field wall at Jackie Robinson Stadium for his first homer and runs batted in of the season.

Caruso allowed a leadoff base hit to the Bruins in the eighth, but struck out the side. He ended the game and earned his first save by striking out Michael Moore, who had homered.

Loyola plays host to Nevada in a West Coast Conference opener at 2 p.m. Friday.