March 15, 2005
Box Score
Los Angeles, Calif. - For the second straight Tuesday, LMU baseball cut into a sizeable lead but fell just short, as the Lions dropped an 11-9 contest with Cal State Northridge this afternoon. The Lions (5-12) trailed by as many as eight before tallying six runs in the seventh to stay within striking distance of the Matadors (8-8-1).
Trailing 11-3, junior Chris Pettit started the seventh inning rally with a solo shot over the Mikos Blue Monster for his third home run of the season. James Cooper's double to left center set up Kyle Mura's RBI single to center to make it three straight hits for the Lions.
CSUN reliever Eric Sweeney then walked A.J. LaMonda and Evan Shahak to load the bases with no outs. Pinch-hitter Matt White faced new Matador reliever Matt Gaylord and brought in Mura with a sacrifice fly. Brandon DiTolla reached first on a fielder's choice and a fielding error by CSUN third baseman Erik Hagstrom allowed LaMonda to score on the play to make it 11-7. Pinch-hitter Elvis Herrera hit in Shahak on a groundout to shortstop, and Joe Frazee made it 11-9 bringing in DiTolla with a single up the middle.
The inning added to the success the Lions have found all season in the seventh, making it a 21-11 advantage for LMU in seventh inning scoring on the season.
But CSUN closer Peter Eberhardt allowed just one hit over the next two innings, as he picked up his fifth save of the season and halted the Lion comeback.
The Lions got on the scoreboard first when Mura's groundout scored Frazee, who had singled to start the inning in the bottom of the first. LMU added two more in the fifth on doubles by DiTolla and Frazee and a Cooper groundout that scored Jason Lefkowitz.
The LMU bullpen held off an early CSUN rally in the top of the fourth when Gabe Bueno faced a bases loaded situation with no outs and the Matadors leading 2-1. Bueno struck out Jeff Tezak for the first out of the inning before giving way to Andy Beal. Beal then stuck out John Voita and got Michael Paulk to groundout to get out of the inning without allowing a run.
Cal State Northridge took an 11-3 lead after scoring nine runs in three innings, led by Alberto Quintana's three straight doubles.
CSUN starter Craig Baker improved to 4-1 on the season, after throwing six innings. LMU's Erik Reyes moved to 0-2, after allowing two runs on seven hits in his two innings of work.
Quintana finished 4-for-6 with four RBI and three runs scored for the Matadors.
DiTolla and Frazee combined for a 6-for-9 day at the plate with two RBI and three runs scored to lead the LMU offense.
The two teams totaled 32 hits in the four hour, six minute game which proved to be the longest contest of the season for LMU.
The Lions took advantage of four Matador errors, while posting their third errorless effort of the season.
In a big week of action at Page Stadium, LMU remains at home this weekend to begin West Coast Conference play against the University of San Diego. The Lions and Toreros will begin the three-game series Friday at 2:00 p.m. Fans can follow all of the action as it happens on the Lions' Audio Network and Gametracker, both at www.LMULions.com.
-GO LIONS-
