Feb. 15, 2003
Box Score
Los Angeles, Calif. - The Loyola Marymount University baseball team earned its first victory of the season with a 5-3 decision over Washington, Saturday afternoon at Page Stadium in front of 463 fans. The Lions were led by sophomore Sean Smith who had two hits and three RBI.
The Lions (1-4) jumped out early with a pair of runs in the second inning. Joshua Whitesell led off the frame with a double to straightaway centerfield. After Huskie catcher Ben Johnson allowed a ball to skip by him, moving Whitesell to third base, LMU's Carl Stoeber reached on a fielder's choice. A sacrifice fly by Smith plated Whitesell, while consecutive singles by Lion freshmen James Cooper and Kyle Mura scored Stoeber.
The Huskies (3-2) threatened in the top of the third with consecutive singles by Simi Reynolds and Taylor Johnson. But LMU catcher Jonathan Higashi threw both would-be baserunners out attempting to steal second base.
LMU added to its lead in the third inning with another pair of runs. With one out, Higashi singled. Whitesell also reached as Huskie starting pitcher Clay Johnson hit him with a pitch. Johnson's erratic control would cost him as Stoeber and Smith followed with RBI singles.
Meanwhile, Lion starting pitcher Vincent Cordova was cruising. Through five innings, the junior from Whittier, Calif., allowed just three hits and two walks, while striking out five, including the side in the fifth. Just one Huskie reached third base threw the first five frames.
Cordova lost his shutout in the sixth inning. After being hit by a pitch, Huskie shortstop Tila Reynolds raced home on a past ball, but the Lions still led 4-1. Cordova earned the victory to improve his mark to 1-0, while Johnson fell to 1-1.
After the Huskies scored in the top of the seventh, the Lions answered as Smith singled in Higashi to increase the LMU advantage to 5-2.
The Lion bullpen pitched well. The freshmen combination of Erik Reyes, Jeff Stevens and Stephen Kahn pitched the final three innings allowing just two runs, on two hits, while racking up three strikeouts. Kahn earned his first collegiate save.
The Lions will conclude their series with Washington, Sunday afternoon at Page Stadium. The first pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
