May 21, 2005

Box Score

Los Angeles, Calif. - LMU baseball needed to win three of four games this weekend in what turned into a West Coast Conference semifinal battle with Gonzaga (28-25, 15-14 WCC) at Page Stadium. The Lions (29-25, 17-12 WCC) posted 13-6 and 10-9 wins in Saturday's doubleheader to win the three they needed to clinch their second straight Coast Division title and their fourth appearance in the WCC Baseball Championship in the last seven seasons.

LMU, who has won 13 of its last 15 games, will learn its opponent for the title series tomorrow, when the University of San Francisco and Pepperdine play the rubber match of their three-game series to determine the WCC West Division Champion. If Pepperdine wins the home game, LMU will host the WCC Championship for the second straight season. A San Francisco victory would mean a trip up north next weekend for the Lions.

The second game of Saturday's doubleheader saw the lead change four times. Gonzaga took an early 3-0 lead in the first, but the Lions' six-run second inning had LMU fans celebrating early.

The Bulldogs battled back to add five of their own in the fourth and one in the sixth, making it look like the series would be determined on Sunday. Bobby Carlson led the Gonzaga charge, putting two balls over the Mikos Blue Monster for his four RBI of the game.

But the Lions rallied in the eighth, scoring four runs on five singles for the 10-9 lead. Chris Pettit and pinch-hitter Evan Shahak put up back-to-back singles, and Pettit scored when Kyle Mura singled up the middle to make it 9-7. Pinch-hitter Anthony Soto loaded the bases for the Lions when he was hit by Gonzaga reliever Brandon Harmon. Michael Glomb and Joe Frazee then singled to tie the game at nine. Freshman Eric Farris's fielder choice ball then plated Soto for the 10-9 game-winning run.

In the two games, Farris combined to go 6-for-10 with five RBI and five runs scored. He also posted his first two career home runs, hitting one in the first game and one in the second inning of the nightcap.

Mura went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored in the second game, while Frazee and Glomb combined for five RBI.

Freshman Andy Beal, who had earned the save in LMU's win on Friday, improved to 4-1 on the season after throwing 4.2 innings Saturday. He allowed just one earned run on three hits before giving way to senior Gabe Bueno in the ninth. Bueno faced just four batters in the ninth, striking out Mike Terry, to earn his first save of the season.

Harmon (2-1) took his first loss of the season after allowing the four earned runs in his third of an inning pitched.

Big middle innings gave the Lions the 13-6 win in the early game Saturday behind another strong start by junior Stephen Kahn. Kahn, who allowed just one hit through the fifth inning, had retired ten straight batters from the second through the fifth.

Sophomore Blake Feaser came in to throw a hitless eighth and ninth for the Lions.

LMU combined for 12 runs in the third through sixth innings, taking a 13-2 lead until the Bulldogs responded with four in the top of the seventh.

The Lions tallied 14 hits, led by freshman Eric Farris' 4-for-5 effort. Senior Evan Shahak added a career-high five RBI after a 2-for-4 game. The Lions also got home runs from Farris and Joe Frazee.

Gonzaga starter Patrick Donovan (6-7) was saddled with the loss after allowing six earned runs on 11 hits in 4.2 innings.

Though LMU clinched it second straight Coast Division title with today's two wins, the Lions and Gonzaga will conclude the series tomorrow with a 1:00 p.m. game. The Lions will honor seniors Evan Shahak, Joe Frazee, Matt White, Gabe Bueno, Jon Oller, and Anthony Santana in pre-game ceremonies as part of Senior Sunday at Page Stadium.

-GO LIONS-