April 1, 2008

Box Score

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - LMU (16-12) had its five-game winning streaked snapped on Tuesday as it failed to record a hit through the first six innings en route to losing 8-2 to No. 25 Cal State Fullerton (16-9) at Page Stadium.

Sophomore Ryan Wheeler broke up the no-hitter in the seventh, doubling down the left field line. Wheeler, the current WCC Player of the Week, finished the game 2-for-3 with a RBI and a walk. Andy Preston and Ollie Enos collected the only other hits for the Lions, collecting a double apiece, while also recording the only two runs of the game for LMU.

Senior Nate Keadle got the start and the loss for LMU, tossing three and two-thirds innings and allowing four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two batters. Keadle fell to 0-3 on the season. Lee Roberts was first out of the Lion bullpen, pitching three and a third innings of scoreless relief, collecting two strikeouts along the way. Freshman Greg Meyers lasted two-thirds of a frame and allowed a run on two hits before Russell Lowell recorded the final out of the inning. Sophomore Xavier Esquivel turned in the final inning on the hill for LMU, allowing three runs on four hits in the ninth inning.

Right-hander Michael Morrison carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning for the Titans, recording three strikeouts, earning the victory to improve to 1-1 on the year. Adam Jorgenson tossed the next two innings for Fullerton, surrendering two runs on three hits and two walks before Jason Dovel struck out the side in order in the ninth.

Josh Fellhauer and Khris Davis each collected two hits in the game, including Davis' solo home run to left centerfield in the fourth. The homer was Davis' third of the season. Christian Colon and Corey Jones each drove-in two runs for the Titans.

Fullerton got on the board first in the first inning, scoring two runs on two hits. With two out and a runner at first, Jared Clark singled to put runners at second and third. A wild pitch moved the runners 90 feet before Jones doubled both runs home on the ensuing play.

The Titans made it 4-0 after four innings when Davis homered to leadoff the frame. After the next two hitters were retired, Brown walked to start the ball rolling again. It did not take long for Fullerton to strike for its second run of the inning, as Fellhauer doubled to left field to push Brown home. Fullerton added one more run to take a 5-0 lead in the eighth. Jones was hit with a two-out pitch before Davis doubled him home with a shot into the right centerfield gap.

LMU answered for its only two runs of the game in the eighth. Preston doubled to lead the inning off before moving to third on an Angelo Songco bunt. Enos followed with his RBI-double and Wheeler drove him in one play later with a single into left field.

Fullerton ran the score to its eventual final of 8-2 with three runs in the ninth. A wild pitch charged to Esquivel forced the first run home before Colon's triple plated Fellhauer and Gary Brown to cap the scoring run.

The Lions return to action on Friday when they visit USF at 3 p.m. The Lions and Dons will then play a game on Saturday at 1 p.m. before closing the three-game conference series at 1 p.m. on Sunday.