May 1, 2004
Box Score
Los Angeles, Calif. - Loyola Marymount baseball had the winning run on first base in the ninth but could not push it across, as the Lions fell to Pepperdine 4-3 in game two of the crucial West Coast Conference series Saturday at Page Stadium. With the series even at 1-1, Sunday's game could determine the site of the Memorial Day weekend WCC Championships.
Starter Will Quaglieri had tough first inning, as Brent Lewis connected for a three-run homerun to give the Waves the early 3-0 lead. The Waves added one in the second when Steve Kleen's sacrifice fly scored Cory Brightwell, who had singled to lead-off the inning.
Quaglieri rebounded, holding the Waves scoreless through his next four innings.
The Lions cut the lead in half in their traditionally-big sixth inning. Billy Lockin, James Cooper, and Jonathan Higashi put up three straight singles to lead-off the inning, with Lockin scoring on Higashi's single through the right side. Joe Frazee's hard-hit infield single later scored Cooper to make it a 4-2 game.
Erik Reyes, who entered to pitch for Quaglieri in the seventh, retired the side in both the seventh and eighth innings to keep the Lions in the game.
Clint McGill made it a one-run game in the bottom of the eighth when his shot down the right field line scored Higashi from first.
The Lions (26-20-1, 16-7 WCC) threatened again in the bottom of the ninth, as they were able to get runners on first and second, but could not push the winning run across. Pepperdine (20-23, 14-6 WCC) took game two 4-3, postponing the series decision until Sunday's game.
Kea Kometani (5-6) received the win after working 7.2 innings for the Waves. Kleen earned his seventh save of the season.
Quaglieri fell to 3-6 with Saturday's loss.
Cooper, McGill, and A.J. LaMonda each went 2-for-4 at the plate.
LMU and Pepperdine will play the WCC series' deciding game Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at Page Stadium. Sunday's game will mark the final weekend home contest for the Lions' seven seniors, and LMU baseball will honor them in a pre-game ceremony for Senior Sunday.
-GO LIONS-
