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AMBLER, Pa. – Sophomore Kevin Baron stroked a double down the left field line to drive in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth and senior Pat Christensen stunted the Owl's comeback effort in a 4-3 Explorer win on Friday afternoon at Skip Wilson Field. Christensen improved his season record to 4-1 in his three inning effort (1 R, 1 BB, 4 K) in relief.

With the victory, La Salle improves to 10-16 (5-2 A-10) while Temple slips to 10-15, 2-5 A-10). The Owls outhit the visitors 12-10 and both clubs registered one fielding error on the afternoon.

The Explorers jumped on the board in the top of the first for the second straight game when sophomore Mark Williams (2-3, RBI) knocked home senior Dan Klem (3-4, RBI, run), who led off the game with a single.

Temple didn't wait long to counter, picking up a run in the bottom of the second on a two-out single by Andrew Nist, plating Matt Elko to tie the ballgame at one apiece.

La Salle retook the lead in the fourth, scoring two by way of a Rob Friskey squeeze and Klem sacrifice fly.

The Owls added a run in the sixth, but La Salle starting pitcher Ryan Donohue (6 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K) left three runners on base by forcing Nick Lustrino to fly out with two outs and the bases juiced to preserve a 3-2 lead.

Temple squeaked an unearned run across in the bottom of the eighth to tie the score at 3-3, but the Blue and Gold countered once again in the top of the ninth.

Freshman Collin McGowan (1-4) stroked a single to left field with one out and stole second base. After a Klem pop-out, Baron stepped to the plate and drove a ball down the third base line to score McGowan and give the Explorers the lead for good.

Christensen left two Owls stranded in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the 4-3 lead.

La Salle and Temple will meet again on Saturday at 1 PM. Sophomore Shane Hollman will make the start for the Explorers and will be opposed by Eric Peterson.

NOTES: Williams extended his hitting streak to 11 games. The sophomore is hitting .447 during that span…Klem's 3-for-4 showing busted the senior out of a 2-for-25 spell over his last six games…Despite not earning the win, Friday marked the fifth time the Explorers have won when Donohue starts the game on the hill…Christensen has now gone seven consecutive appearances without giving up an earned run. The senior has struck out 15 batters in 13.1 innings during the stretch