May 8, 2005

Box Score

Los Angeles, Calif. - Chris Pettit's walk-off home run over the Mikos Blue Monster secured LMU baseball's (22-24, 12-11 WCC) sweep of Saint Mary's (18-27, 11-16 WCC) with a 16-14 game three win Sunday at Page Stadium. The four hour and 44 minute marathon saw the two teams combine for 32 hits in nine innings, but it was Pettit's two-run game-winner that was the story of the West Coast Conference match-up.

It looked like LMU had broken the game open early, taking a 10-2 lead after tallying six runs in the bottom of the fourth behind a grand slam by senior Jon Oller. But the Gaels responded with six runs of their own in the top of the six and continued to chip away at the Lions' lead.

Saint Mary's scored three in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 14 and set up Pettit's walk-off heroics.

Sophomore right-hander Ezequiel Ruvalcaba earned his first career decision after he came on with the score tied in the top of the ninth.

LMU starter Kyle Huddy worked five innings and struck out four.

SMC's Allan Lobban (1-3) suffered the loss after throwing the final 1.1 innings and allowing three earned runs on three hits.

The Lions retired Saint Mary starter Chris Mezzavilla early, scoring four runs on six hits in two innings off the right-hander.

Pettit finished the day 3-for-4 with four RBI and four runs scored. Oller added the 2-for-3, four RBI effort.

The Lions combined for 45 hits over the three-game series sweep. The sweep moved the Lions into third place in the Coast Division, placing them just a game and a half behind first-place San Diego, the other victim of a Lions' sweep this season. LMU will have another chance at San Diego next weekend, when the Lions travel south for the three-game series. Saturday's game will be televised on CSTV.

But first, the Lions will return to action Tuesday at Cal State Northridge. First pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m. for the non-conference match-up.

-GO LIONS-