CSUN freshman pitcher Bryan Harper gave up five earned runs in the first inning on Tuesday and Loyola Marymount baseball team defeated the Matadors 12-9.

The first inning was an offensive clinic as the Matadors (9-13) put up four runs only to see the Lions answer back with five of their own.

Senior outfielder Richard Cates got the Matadors on the board first when he hit a base hit up the middle to score catcher John Parham and outfielder C.J. Belanger.

The Lions answered in the bottom of the inning when third baseman Kyle Spraker hit a two-run homerun.’ Later in the same inning, designated hitter Josh Bryan hit another two-run blast as Loyola Marymount took a 5-4 lead.

The scoring continued for the Matadors in the top of the second inning when shortstop Justin DeMarco hit a solo homerun to tie the game at five.

By the end of the third inning, it was turning into a track meet as the score was knotted up at 7-7 after outfielder Todd Eskelin hit a double to score first baseman Dominic D’Anna and Cates.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, freshman pitcher Justen Gorski came into pitch for the Matadors and gave up four runs.

The Lions four-run fourth inning provided all the offense they needed as they went on to win 12-9.’ Taking the loss for the Matadors was Gorski, who gave up three earned runs on five hits.

In a game full of bad pitching on both sides, the one bright spot for the Matadors was the performance of right-handed pitcher Ryan McCarney, who struck out three batters in a row during the bottom of the third inning.’ McCarney finished the day with five strikeouts and gave up no hits.

The Matadors will open up Big West Conference play Friday at Matador Diamond against UC Santa Barbara. The first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.