April 13, 2004
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Briefly...
Despite dropping its first WCC series of the season last weekend, the Lions remain in first place in the West Coast Conference's Coast Division at 11-4. San Diego has made a recent surge and sits in second with its 7-8 conference mark. Pepperdine stays in first in the West Division, with a WCC record of 11-1. LMU travels to Cal State Fullerton on Tuesday and then on to Santa Clara for the weekend series to conclude the eight-game road trip.
Best WCC Start in 15 Seasons...
After beginning West Coast Conference action with a record of 10-2, Loyola Marymount baseball posted its best league start in fifteen seasons. The Lions won each of four WCC three-game series to start the conference season, and entered interdivision play atop the Coast Division. The 10-2 start and series streak is a program best since 1989. That year, Head Coach Chris Smith's squad went 39-24-1 and 18-5 in WCC play en route to an NCAA tournament appearance in the West Regional. Assigned to the Tucson, Arizona site in the West Regional, the 1989 Lions defeated Eastern Kentucky and Oklahoma before falling to host Arizona. Since then, LMU baseball has gone on to win four WCC championships, including three consecutive titles in 1998, 1999, and 2000.
Complete Game Shutout Leads to Honors for Kahn...
Loyola Marymount's Stephen Kahn has been selected as the WCC/Rawlings Pitcher of the Week, the West Coast Conference announced today. Kahn threw a complete game shutout on Saturday, leading LMU to its 2-0 win over WCC opponent Saint Mary's. Kahn went the distance allowing just six hits, while striking out ten batters and walking only two. The 2-0 win over Saint Mary's moves the sophomore's record to 4-1 and helped lead division-leading LMU claim its fourth of four WCC series. Kahn's performance on Saturday marks the second complete game this season for the LMU pitching staff. Senior Will Quaglieri threw a complete game against then-No. 11 Baylor on February 15, 2004. The last LMU complete game shutout was junior Kyle Huddy's 9-0 shutout of UCLA on March 4, 2003. This week's WCC/Rawlings Pitcher of the Week selection is Kahn's second of the 2004 season, as he also garnered the honors on February 23. It is LMU's fifth weekly conference selection, including the third for the pitching staff.
Higashi Hot in March...
Senior Jonathan Higashi hit .380 (27-for-71) for the month of March, adding 17 RBI, 15 runs scored, four doubles, and two homeruns to lead LMU to the best overall record in the WCC. The Lions' catcher went 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored in the series-deciding game at San Diego, keeping LMU atop the West Coast Division.
Good Run at Page...
After holding off New Mexico State at home, the Lions put together an impressive home streak to start the season. Dating back to the end of last season, the Lions had not lost at home since falling to San Francisco on May 11, 2003. This season, LMU posted the 5-4 Opening Day win over UC Riverside to kick off the home season. The Lions continued the success at home, with UCLA (7-3), New Mexico State (2-1), then-No. 13 Cal State Fullerton (3-2), San Diego (5-4, 10-4, 9-8), and New Mexico State (8-5, 8-8).
Higashi's Single Completes Sweep of Saint Mary's...
LMU completed a three game sweep of the Saint Mary's Gaels with a dramatic 4-3 win at Page Stadium. Jonathan Higashi broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the ninth inning with a walk-off RBI single to win the game. LMU found itself trailing Saint Mary's 2-0 going into the bottom of the sixth inning when James Cooper led off the inning with a double to deep centerfield, his second extra base hit of the day in a 3-for-4 effort. Kyle Mura came up next and was hit by a pitch. Copper and Mura would move up a base an out later when Higashi singled to right field to load the bases. Joe Frazee came up next and got the Lions on the board with a RBI single to center. Jonathan Oller stepped up to the plate and worked a bases loaded walk to tie the game at two apiece. Gaels' reliever Matt Dolen (0-1) would come on to face Anthony Santana who would hit a go ahead sacrifice fly to left to score Higashi and give LMU it's first lead of the day. Lions' starter Jeff Stevens held onto the one run lead through the eighth inning before giving way to the bullpen. Stevens allowed just two runs and struck out seven over his eight innings of work. In the ninth inning Clint McGill moved from second base to the mound and retired the first batter he faced when Billy Lockin robbed Delaney Gallagher of a lead off single up the middle with an outstanding diving play. Then Sam Carter came up and doubled to left center field. Gabriel Bueno would take over for McGill on the mound and get Preston Young to ground out to second base before giving way to Jackson Creighton (1-2). With Gilbert Gil at the plate Creighton threw a wild pitch that allowed Carter to score from third with the tying run. In the bottom of the ninth Lockin led off with a single up the middle. He moved to second when Cooper dropped down a sacrifice bunt. Mura would bat next and line a single to right to get Lockin and the Lions to within ninety feet of winning the game. McGill came up next and drew a walk on five pitches to load the bases with one out. Reliever Parker Mangum was summoned from the bullpen to come on and face Higashi. Higashi lined the second pitch he saw inside the bag at third and down the left field line to allow Lockin to score and complete the Lions' three game sweep over the Gaels. For Higashi it was his second walk-off hit of the season. The first being a homerun to complete a three game sweep of the San Diego Toreros back in March.
LMU Takes Third of 3 WCC Series...
LMU defeated the Gonzaga Bulldogs 8-6 Sunday afternoon at Page Stadium. The Lions got a two run single from shortstop Billy Lockin to break a 6-6 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning to take the rubber game of the series. The win moved LMU two and half games ahead of the Bulldogs and the St. Mary's Gaels in the WCC Coast division race.
Lions Homer Their Way to Crucial Series Win Over USD...
LMU took the deciding game of it's three game series at San Diego Sunday afternoon in dramatic fashion. Trailing by a run going to the ninth inning, LMU got back-to-back homeruns from Kyle Mura and Clint McGill to win 10-8. LMU found itself trailing 8-6 going into it's final two at bats when a homerun barrage started. In the eighth, Jonathan Olller hit his third homerun of the season to bring the Lions to within a run. For Oller, it was his third round tripper in his last five games. Then in the ninth, Mura led off by hitting a shot over the wall in left to tie the game up at eight all. McGill would come up next and immediately untie the game with one swing of the bat. His homerun to left off of USD (12-14, 1-5) closer Tom Caple (1-5) gave the Lions a 9-8 lead. The homerun derby in the final two innings was not the first time that LMU used the long ball in a dramatic fashion against Caple and the Toreros. Jonathan Higashi hit a walk-off homer against the USD closer two weeks ago to the day. A.J. LaMonda would add an insurance run later on in the inning with an RBI single to center to score Higashi. Freshmen Blake Feaser (2-0) who had come on in the eighth and retired two batters, stayed in for the ninth and got the final three outs and got the win in relief. The Lions jumped out to an early 6-0 lead with a huge third inning. Anthony Santana got LMU on the board with an RBI single. Mura would then begin his big day by singling in two more runs. Higashi then made it a 5-0 game with a two run double. An error by the Toreros brought in the Lions' sixth run of the inning, but USD would make a big comeback right away. In the bottom of the third inning USD picked up four runs. The big blow in the inning was a three run homerun by Freddy Sandoval. In the fifth, the Toreros tied the game at six with a two run shot off the bat of Keoni Ruth. In the seventh USD took their first lead of the afternoon with a two run single by Jordan Abruzzo. USD would hold that lead until the fateful ninth inning. The LMU offense exploded Sunday to pound out sixteen hits. The combination of Mura, McGill, Higashi, Oller, and Santana had twelve of the sixteen. Higash went 4-for-5 with two RBI. The rest of the combo had two hits apiece and totaled six RBI on the day. On the mound LMU was led by the freshmen duo of Daniel Macias and Blake Feaser who combined to pitch the final two and a third innings of the game while allowing just one hit and no USD runs. The Lions have now taken the season series from the Toreros 5-1 and sit atop the WCC standings.
Lockin Earns WCC/Rawlings Player of the Week Honors...
Billy Lockin was named the WCC/Rawlings Player of the Week, the conference announced on March 9. Lockin led the Lions to four victories, including a three-game sweep of San Diego in WCC play. The Lions' senior went 9-for-17 (.529) with seven runs scored, two doubles, and three RBI as LMU defeated Fresno State and then took three from the two-time defending WCC Champion San Diego. Friday's conference opener saw Lockin's two-out, two-run double regain the 4-3 lead for the Lions in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Toreros. In Saturday's 10-4 win, Lockin went 3-for-4 with an RBI and four runs scored. He also swiped a base as the Lions improved to 10-4 and took an early lead in the WCC Coast Division. The Thousand Oaks, Calif., native is LMU baseball's fourth WCC selection in as many weeks. Second baseman Clint McGill and pitchers Stephen Kahn and Will Quaglieri joined Lockin in receiving weekly honors. Quaglieri was also named February's WCC Pitcher of the Month.
Lions' Nine-run First Brings Winning Streak to Six...
The Lions extended their winning streak to six games in early March by defeating UC Santa Barbara 11-9 on March 9. The Lions nine run first inning proved to be the difference in the game. LMU used a two out rally in the very first inning to set the tone for their game at UC Santa Barbara (10-8). WCC Player of the Week Billy Lockin led off the game with a single to right center. With one out he moved to second when Jonathan Higashi walked and moved to third after Kyle Mura singled. James Cooper then delivered Lockin home with the game's first run with a sacrifice fly to center field. That's when the Lions took off; getting the next seven batters on base while scoring eight runs. After Cooper's RBI, Clint McGill dropped down a perfect bunt to load the bases. Jonathan Oller was hit by a pitch to force in a run and keep the sacks full of Lions. The very next pitch from Gaucho starter Brian Tracey (1-1) was a wild pitch to force in another run making the score 3-0. Brady Koch would draw a walk in the at-bat to reload the bases. Anthony Soto would also walk, this one bring in a run to make it 4-0. Lockin would come back up to the plate and deliver a two run single for his second hit of the inning. Joe Frazee came up next and worked a walk to once again load the bases. After another wild pitch scored a run, Higashi would cap off the marathon first inning with a two run single to right to make it a 9-0 game before Santa Barbara could even bat. Kevin Jensen was called on from the bullpen to replace starter Daniel Macias and worked three and a third innings allowing three earned runs, but only let the Gauchos get as close as 10-7. Gabriel Bueno (2-0) also pitched three and a third innings and allowing just one run to get his second win as a Lion. The pitching hero of the day however, turned out to be Erik Reyes who came out of the pen with the tying and go ahead runs on base in the eighth and two outs. Reyes got a groundout to get out of the jam and then pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his first save of the year and the first his career. In the game, Lockin followed up his WCC player of the week award by collecting four hits, while driving in two and scoring two. Higashi followed up his dramatic weekend by going 2-for-3 with two RBI. Cooper did the same going 2-for-3 with two RBI and Clint McGill had two hits. Oller rounded out the Lions impressive day by driving in two runs and collecting one hit. LMU has now won six straight games and have combined to score thirty runs in their last three games.
Quaglieri Named WCC Pitcher of the Month...
Will Quaglieri has been selected as the WCC/Rawlings Pitcher of the Month for February, the conference announced on March 2. Quaglieri earned the conference's first monthly honor after dominating opposing batters in four appearances during the month. The senior made three starts for the Lions and was extremely effective, holding then-#11 ranked Baylor to one run through seven innings and suffering the tough-luck loss. In Quaglieri's next start, he surrendered only one run through five innings of work and struck out eight batters, but did not figure in the decision as LMU defeated then-#13 ranked Cal State Fullerton on February 24. Quaglieri recorded his first victory of the season on February 29, when he tossed seven innings of shutout ball against San Jose State in an 11-0 Lion victory. The right-hander was dominant in each of his appearances, striking out 21 batters in 19 innings pitched and surrendering only two earned runs. The Reno, Nev., native posted a 0.95 earned run average and held opposing lineups to a .217 batting average.
Quaglieri Makes it Back-to-Back WCC/Rawlings Pitcher of the Week Selections for LMU...
LMU's Will Quaglieri was named the WCC/Rawlings Pitcher of the Week after leading the Lions over then-No. 13 Cal State Fullerton and San Jose State. The selection marks the second straight WCC Pitcher of the Week selection for the Lions and the third conference award in three weeks. Quaglieri has allowed just two earned runs in 19 innings of work, 11 of which were against top-15 teams this season. The senior right-handed pitcher has struck out 21 batters, while walking just four. In his first start as a Lion against then-No. 11 Baylor, Quaglieri struck out five and allowed just one run on three hits in the complete game effort. Against then-No. 13 Cal State Fullerton, the Reno, Nevada, native fanned eight in five innings without a walk. Last weekend, Quaglieri threw seven scoreless innings against San Jose State and struck out seven en route to his first and LMU's second WCC/Rawlings Pitcher of the Week selection. Quaglieri's selection is the third conference accolade in three weeks for the Lions. LMU's Stephen Kahn earned WCC Pitcher of the Week honors last week, while Clint McGill earned Player of the Week honors after the first week of play.
Inside-the-Park Homerun Keys Lions' Comeback Win Over #13 CS Fullerton...
LMU baseball came back to defeat No.13 Cal State Fullerton 3-2 in a thriller at Page Stadium. Brady Koch hit a two-out two-run inside-the-park-homerun in the seventh to help LMU win their third straight game. LMU (5-2) trailed Cal State Fullerton (6-7) 2-1 going to the bottom of the seventh inning when freshmen A.J. LaMonda singled with one out. He was still on first with two out when Koch came to the plate and began a long battle with Titan pitcher Scott Sarver. Koch was given a second chance when first baseman Brett Pill misplayed a foul pop at first base, and he hammered the next pitched he saw to center field. Titan center fielder Danny Dorn froze and then leaped to make the catch, but had the line drive sail over his head and roll all the way to the wall scoring LaMonda with the tying run and eventually Koch with the winning run. Junior reliever Gabriel Bueno (1-0) who had come on in the seventh pitched a perfect eighth before giving way to Jeff Stevens who notched his second save in as many chances. For Bueno, it was his first win as a Lion. LMU's bullpen allowed just one run over the final four innings while striking out five. Will Quaglieri got the start for LMU as was impressive going five innings allowing just one run and scattering seven hits. Quaglieri used an assortment of breaking balls to get out of three tough jams and to strikeout eight batters. He was locked in a pitchers' duel with Lauren Gagnier through five. Trailing 1-0 in the fifth the Lions got on the board and tied the game when Clint McGill scored on a perfectly executed hit and run play as LaMonda doubled down the line in left. Cal State Fullerton immediately took the lead again in the top of the sixth when left fielder Sergio Pedroza led off with a homerun to center. That's where the game stood until Koch's deciding blow in the seventh.
Kahn Named WCC/Rawlings Pitcher of the Week...
Stephen Kahn has been selected as the WCC's Pitcher of the Week, the conference announced on Monday. Kahn led the Lions to a 2-1 win over New Mexico State on Saturday, moving his record to 2-0 on the season. Kahn battled the rain for six innings, allowing just one unearned run on two hits in the Lions' 2-1 victory. The Anaheim, Calif., native added ten strikeouts against New Mexico State, who entered the series with LMU leading the nation in runs scored. In his first victory of the season, the sophomore right-handed pitcher struckout six batters in five innings, leading LMU to the 8-7 win over No. 11 Baylor. Kahn's selection is the second conference accolade in two weeks for the Lions. LMU's Clint McGill earned WCC Player of the Week honors last week.
Skipper Cruz's To 200...
With the Lions' win over UCLA, LMU Head Coach Frank Cruz tallied his 200th career victory. Cruz, in his eighth season with the Lions, became the second LMU coach to reach the milestone.
McGill Earns Honors...
Clint McGill has been selected as 2004's first West Coast Conference/Rawlings Player of the Week, the conference announced today. McGill started all four games at second base for LMU, including victories over No. 11 Baylor and preseason-No. 39 UC Riverside. The senior transfer from Texas Tech led the Lions, hitting .385 (5-for-13) with one RBI as the Lions went 2-2 on the week. McGill added six putouts and five assists at second base. An infielder throughout his career, the LMU coaching staff tried McGill on the mound in the fall and the results paid off early for the Lions. In his career pitching debut, McGill earned two saves in as many attempts in the Lions' first two games. The Fresno, Calif., native struckout two in his combined two innings of work and held Baylor hitless in the ninth.
Lions Defeat No. 11 Baylor...
LMU earned an 8-7 victory over No. 11 ranked Baylor at Baylor Ballpark Saturday night. Senior Clint McGill recorded his second save in as many opportunities to secure the win. McGill moved from second base to the pitcher's mound in the ninth and retired the Bears in order. The Lions got the scoring underway in the first inning when, with two outs, Jonathan Higashi walked and then scored on a double to right off the bat of Jonathan Oller. Oller was then brought home immediately when James Cooper singled to left. This set the tone for LMU as they would go on to score six of their eight runs on the night with two outs. Baylor scored in the bottom of the inning and then took the lead in the bottom of the second when second baseman Drew Sutton hit a two run triple to right to make the score 3-2. The Lions would take the lead for good in the fifth when they scored two runs, both coming on a throwing error by third baseman Michael Griffin. LMU tacked on two more in the sixth when again with two out, the Lions began a rally. After Jonathan Higashi and Jonathan Oller drew two out walks James Cooper drove them in with a double to right. Cooper finished the contest going 2-for-4 with three RBI's and a run scored. That was all the run support Stephen Kahn (1-0) would need to gain his first win of the season. Kahn worked five innings allowing just two hits and two earned runs. After throwing one hundred pitches, Kahn gave way to the bullpen of Erik Reyes, Jeff Stevens, and eventually Clint McGill. Baylor rallied in the seventh to score four runs, but Stevens held the tying run standing on third base in both the seventh and eighth innings.
Noted in Baseball America...
Several Lions were listed among the WCC's "Players to Watch" in Baseball America's 2004 conference preview. Seniors Jon Higashi and Billy Lockin were selected to the preseason all-conference team as a catcher and shortstop, respectively. RHPs Steve Kahn and Kyle Huddy were listed as the conference's No. 3 and No. 5 draft prospects. Kahn went 5-4 with 55 strikeouts in 47 innings of work in 2003. Huddy struck out 84 in his 90 innings, while finishing with a 5-6 record. In the "Best Tools" categories, Lockin was named the WCC's best baserunner. Higashi took home the titles of best defensive catcher and catcher with the best arm, while Kahn has the conference's best fastball, according to Baseball America.
Lions Tabbed to Finish 4th...
WCC coaches have selected LMU to finish fourth in 2004, the conference announced in the annual preseason poll. The Lions finished the 2003 season in sixth place with a 26-30 overall and 13-17 conference record. LMU earned 33 votes in the preseason poll, good for the fourth place prediction. Pepperdine was picked to win the conference title in 2004, after garnering 49 votes. The conference splits its eight teams into two divisions, with the Lions playing in the Coast division. LMU is listed in second in its division, behind San Diego's 39 votes. "The poll is probably accurate for a preseason prediction," Cruz said. "The conference is even stronger this season than it has been in the past few years. We are fortunate to be predicted in the fourth spot, but once the ference season opens, anything can happen."
USA Baseball Names Cruz 2004 National Team Head Coach...
USA Baseball announced that LMU's Frank Cruz will serve as head coach of the 2004 USA Baseball National Team that will represent the United States at the 2004 FISU World University Baseball Championships in Chinese Taipei, July 22-31. "Coach Cruz has been an integral part of our coaching staff in the past as an assistant, and we're very fortunate to be able to welcome him back as our head coach for the upcoming summer," said Steve Cohen, USA Baseball Director of National Teams. "Frank is highly respected in the collegiate coaching community and we appreciate him making this commitment again to USA Baseball." This will be Cruz's second tour of duty with USA Baseball, but his first as a head coach. Cruz served as an assistant on the 2000 USA Baseball National Team that posted an overall record of 27-3-1, and captured a gold medal at the 2000 Haarlem Baseball Week Championships in The Netherlands. He becomes the first-ever USA Baseball National Team Head Coach to be affiliated with the WCC. "I am extremely humbled to be able to work with the finest athletes in the country," said Cruz. "Working for USA Baseball is a tremendous opportunity and a great honor. I look forward to being a part of a gold medal-winning team in the world championships and wearing the USA uniform."
I Know What You Did Last Summer...
As members of LMU's team came back to campus last fall, they returned with a wealth of collegiate baseball experience from the top summer leagues in the nation. Committed to helping its players secure positions in these top leagues, LMU had representatives in several including the Cape Cod and Alaska Leagues. LMU shortstop Billy Lockin started his summer with the Santa Barbara Foresters of the California Coastal Collegiate League. The senior posted a .417 batting average and went 10-for-12 in stolen bases in his 12 games with the Foresters, before joining the Orleans Cardinals in the Cape Cod League. A Cape League East Division All-Star, Lockin's ground ball in the Cape League title game moved teammate Rodney Allen (Arizona State) to third and a throwing error left Lockin at first. Both eventually scored two of Orleans' five runs good for the 5-4 victory and Cape Cod League title. Lockin ended the summer season with 14 stolen bases, which ranked third in the league. Four Lions called the Alaska League home this summer as Jonathan Higashi and Jonathan Oller joined the Anchorage Glacier Pilots and Joe Frazee and Stephen Kahn teamed up on the Peninsula Oilers. The Pilots awarded their O'Toole Award to Higashi, named for long-time coach Jack O'Toole. The award is given to the player each summer who best demonstrates O'Toole's sense of leadership and extra effort. As the Pilots' catcher, Higashi recorded 38 hits and tied for first on the team with 19 RBI before being picked up by the Las Vegas Devils for the trip to the NBC World Series in Wichita, Kansas. LMU outfielder Joe Frazee posted 32 hits and six stolen bases for the Oilers, while Peninsula teammate and LMU pitcher Kahn went 2-1 with an ERA of 0.60 in 15 innings of work. LMU catcher Brady Koch spent the summer in the Northwoods League with the Duluth Huskies. The senior posted a slugging percentage of .312 and slammed three home runs, just one home run shy of the team-leading four. Outfielder Matt White started 17 games for the Front Royal Cardinals in the Shenandoah Valley League. The LMU senior also went 2-for-2 in stolen bases. Sophomores Chris Pettit and Jeff Stevens also saw time this summer with the Santa Barbara Foresters. Pettit recorded 25 hits, while Stevens stuck out 17 batters in 14.1 innings and went 1-1. After winning the 2003 California Cup, the Foresters earned an automatic bid to the NBC World Series. The Foresters lost to Chinese Taipei in the title game, earning the American National Championship. LMU pitcher Will Quaglieri also traveled to the NBC World Series with the South Bay Saints of the Western Semi-Pro League. The Western Regional Champions, the South Bay Saints and Quaglieri fell to LMU teammates Pettit and Stevens and the Foresters 3-1 in the first round of the NBC World Series on August 6. James Cooper and Erik Reyes represented the Lions in the Jayhawk League. The outfielder and pitcher saw their Topeka Capitals go 10-19 in summer league play.
Top Defense Returns...
LMU returns three-quarters of its starting position players that ranked 31st in the nation in defense (.969) in 2003, including All-West Coast Conference selections Jonathan Higashi (C), Jonathan Oller (1B/3B), Billy Lockin (SS), and Joe Frazee (CF).
Four Lions Selected In MLB Draft...
A trio of Lions was selected in the first nine rounds of the MLB First-Year Player Draft. LMU juniors Josh Muecke, Josh Whitesell and Vince Cordova were selected in the fifth, sixth and ninth rounds, respectively. Lion senior Ryan Yurek was picked in the 24th round. The Houston Astros chose Muecke with the 22nd pick of the fifth round (149th overall), while Whitesell was the 20th selection of the sixth round by the Montreal Expos.Cordova was the 12th pick of the ninth round by the New York Mets. After taking Muecke in the fifth round, the Astros chose Yurek with the 22nd pick of the 24th round.
