Feb. 27, 2011

Box Score

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -

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LMU (7-1) earned a series sweep over Nevada (0-6) on Sunday after defeating the Wolf Pack, 8-3, in the series finale at LMU's Page Stadium. The Lions took advantage of a costly two-out error in the eighth inning en route to scoring five times in the frame.

Junior Martin Viramontes was impressive on Sunday, tossing seven innings and allowing just one run on three hits and three walks while striking out eight batters. With the victory, the Fresno, Calif. native improved to 2-0 on the season. Viramontes tossed 108 pitches and surrendered the lone run in the second inning. Aaron Griffin entered in the top of the eighth inning with the Lions leading by just two runs at 3-1. The right-hander finished the game having tossed two frames and allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out one batter. Although LMU went on to beat the Wolf Pack by five, Griffin earned his first save having entered with only a two-run cushion in the eighth.

Matt Lowenstein continued to scorch out of the Lion leadoff spot, finishing 3-for-4 with two runs scored, a triple, a sacrifice fly and three RBI. The native of Chino Hills, Calif. is now batting .519 with nine runs scored and five RBI on the year. Junior Matt Koch also had a stellar day at the plate, batting 2-for-4 with a double to raise his average to .357. The two-bagger was Koch's third of the season. Zac Fujimoto, who is hitting .346 through eight games this year, scored twice on Sunday to run his total to five on the season.

Mark Joukoff got the start for Nevada, lasting six innings and allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks before being tagged with his second loss of the season. Matt Gardner lasted an inning and two-thirds and allowed just one hit, but he also made a costly error that ended up costing him four unearned runs. The right-hander was stellar through two outs in the eighth, striking out four batters. Mat Keplinger was the final arm called from the bullpen, inheriting two runners in the eighth and allowing both to score on a two-RBI triple from Lowenstein. The left-hander then tossed a wild pitch, allowing the final Lion run of the game.

Cody Collins had the biggest hit for Nevada on Sunday, contributing a two-RBI pinch-hit single in the ninth. Brian Barnett also finished 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and two runs scored for the Wolf Pack.

LMU struck first in the game, scoring once in the bottom of the first inning. Lowenstein got the ball rolling with a leadoff single back up the middle before moving to third on a single from Koch. Koch was cut down on the play trying to move up to second base on the throw, resulting in the second out of the frame. Hitting out of the cleanup spot, Evan Simonitsch caught everyone by surprise, reaching with a two-out RBI-bunt single on the ensuing play to put the Lions on the board.

Nevada got back to even in the top of the second, benefitting from a one-out walk to Barnett on four pitches. A groundout moved the runner to second base before Carlos Escobar, Jr. contributed the clutch two-out RBI single into left field.

The Lions wasted no time regaining the one-run lead, plating a second run in the bottom of the second. A one-out walk to Fujimoto preceded a Joe Vierra single that allowed a hustling Fujimoto to reach third base. After a stolen base from Vierra and a walk to Jason Barmasse loaded the bases with one out, Lowenstein traded an out for a run with a sacrifice fly to centerfield to chase home Fujimoto and hand LMU the 2-1 advantage.

LMU stretched the lead to 3-1 in the fourth inning, pushing a run across all with two out. Barmasse singled to get the rally going before singles from Lowenstein and Jonathan Johnson pushed the third Lion run across. LMU looked to have scored a second run on that play as Johnson was hung up between first and second trying to stretch the single into a double. While Johnson stayed alive in the rundown, Lowenstein tried to score from third, but was erased on a questionable call from Joe Maiden at the plate to end the inning.

A costly error charged to Gardner allowed the Lions to blow the game open in the bottom of the eighth, scoring five times in the frame to run the tally to 8-1. A pair of strikeouts resulted in two quick outs for the Lions, but Alex Guthrie connected on a double to get the ball rolling. Fujimoto popped a pitch up in the middle of the infield on the ensuing play that should have ended the inning with no damage done. Instead, Gardner called everyone off and dropped the ball, allowing the first of the five runs to score. After a stolen base and a balk moved the runner to third, Bret Dahlson drew a walk to put runners at the corners. A second error, this one charged to Garrett Yrigoyen at third base, allowed Fujimoto to score, setting the table for a two-RBI triple from Lowenstein to put the Lions ahead 7-1. LMU capped the frame a few pitches later, as Keplinger bounced one in the dirt, allowing Lowenstein to scamper home safely.

Showing fight, Nevada posted a pair of runs in the top of the ninth. Barnett walked and moved to third on a double from Hugo Hernandez. Collins delivered the runs on the ensuing play, lining a single down the right field line to chase home both runners. Fortunately for the Lions, Griffin was able to right the ship from there, retiring the next three hitters in order to earn the save.

The Lions return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Cal State Fullerton for a game against the Titans at 6 p.m.