Box Score

AMBLER, Pa. - George Smith Jr. gave La Salle some needed insurance with a ninth-inning home run and helped seal a 9-7 win at Temple on Tuesday afternoon in Ambler. 

The home run also extended Smith's season-long hitting streak to nine games.

The Explores (7-8) scored eight runs in the first three innings with the big blow coming in the third when La Salle pushed five across the board.

Joe Bennie had another solid day at the plate and went 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. His one-out single helped start the rally in the third inning as La Salle batted around to take control of the game. 

Down 8-1, the Owls chipped away and scored six unanswered before Smith homered in the ninth to break the string.

Pat Christensen pitched the final 2.1 innings to earn his fourth save of the season.  He is now one shy of the all-time La Salle record. 

La Salle returns to Hank DeVincent Field this weekend for the Big 5 Baseball Bash.  The Explorers will play Buffalo on Friday followed by Saint Peter's on Saturday and New York Tech in the final on Sunday.