March 22, 2010

SAN BRUNO, Calif. - Sophomore Matt Koch was named WCC Player of the Week, it was announced by the conference office on Monday. The native of Manhattan Beach, Calif. guided LMU to a 4-1 record last week, including a midweek victory over Long Beach State and a series win over Fresno State over the weekend. The Player of the Week selection is the second this year for the Lions, as junior Jonathan Johnson took home the honor on March 9.

Koch batted .389 (7-for-18) with five runs scored, two doubles, three home runs, two walks, a hit-by-pitch and four RBI to lead LMU to the 4-1 week. He recorded 18 total bases, slugged 1.000 and reached base at a .455 clip. In addition, he hit safely in each of the five games last week, including recording a home run in three of the four games against Fresno State over the weekend. He has now hit safely in eight straight games, including belting five home runs over the span.

LMU began the week by defeating Long Beach State, 6-4 on Tuesday. The Lions then took the first three games of a four-game series against Fresno State in Fresno, Calif. LMU defeated the bulldogs, 12-5, in game one before taking both ends of a doubleheader on Saturday in extra-innings. The Lions earned a 4-3 victory in 10 innings in game one before taking game two by a count of 5-2 in eight innings (game was scheduled for seven). Koch belted what proved to be the game-winning home run in game one of the doubleheader on Saturday, sending a pitch over the wall in left centerfield in the top of the 10th inning to break a 3-3 tie.

LMU returns to the field tomorrow when it hosts Cal State Fullerton at 3 p.m. at Page Stadium.