May 26, 2011
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -
Complete Release in PDF Format 
BRIEFLY
Having lost four of its last five games, LMU (27-25, 8-10) will finish up the 2011 season this weekend as it hosts San Diego (22-28) in a three-game West Coast Conference series. The Lions can earn a share of third place in the WCC with a sweep this weekend.
QUICK PITCHES
• LMU will honor eight players as part of Sunday's Senior Day festivities • LMU has posted five shutouts this year, the most since accumulating six in 1988
• Aaron Griffin became the first Lion pitcher since at least 1999 to throw more than nine innings, tossing 10 against Portland on May 22
• The average time of game for the Lions this year is 2:32
• LMU is allowing just a .140 mark (6-43) with the bases loaded this year
• Alex Gillingham has thrown seven innings or more in 12 of his 13 starts this year, including eight or more in 10 of the 13
• Fifteen of Shon Roe's 26 RBI this year have come with two out
• The Lions are hitting .244 with two out in an inning this year, posting 74 two-out RBI
• The Lions garnered a WCC-best four players on the Preseason All-Conference team
• The Lions were picked to finish fifth in the WCC according to the coaches' preseason poll
LION TRACKS
LMU (27-25) stranded eight runners in a 5-0 loss at UC Santa Barbara (24-25) on Tuesday in the final midweek and road game of the 2011 season. UCSB's Nick Loredo fired a complete-game shutout, the first against the Lions since UCSB's Mario Hollands tossed one on March 6, 2009. Loredo threw 113 pitches over the nine innings, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out four. LMU managed to put at least one runner on base in each of the first five innings, but Loredo consistently worked out of the jams. With the win in his first complete game of the year, Loredo improved to 4-3 on the season. Sean Williams paced the UCSB offense, finishing 3-for-4 with two runs scored, a home run and two RBI. The homer was Williams' second of the year. Joe Wallace and Dan Camou each had two hits in the victory, as Wallace picked-up a RBI and Camou scored once. Five different Lion hitters collected a hit, as Sean McIntyre doubled for LMU's lone extra-base hit. The sophomore left-handed batter also drew a walk, finishing 1-for-3 on the day. The Lions used a total of four pitchers on Tuesday, as sophomore Matt Florer made his first career start. The lefty dealt four and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs on six hits and no walks while striking out four. Chris Eusebio pitched the next inning and a third, surrendering two hits and striking out three before handing the ball over to senior Jeremy Burrell. The right-hander allowed two runs over two-thirds of an inning before Ryan Hawthorne contributed the final inning and a third of relief.
SENIORS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
LMU will bid adieu to eight players this Sunday as part of LMU's Senior Day festivities. The Lions will honor Jason Barmasse, Jeremy Burrell, Chris Eusebio, Jonathan Johnson, Matt Koch, Evan Simonitsch, Joe Vierra and Martin Viramontes prior to the game on Sunday.
LATE BONUS BASEBALL
LMU played its first extra-inning game of the season on April 30 at San Francisco - the 40th game of the season. After 10 innings that day, the two teams played 13 innings the next day. LMU dropped those first two contests before defeating Saint Mary's, 5-3, in 11 innings on May 14 and Portland, 3-2, in 10 innings on May 22 to improve to 2-2 in extra-inning affairs this season. The 40th game is the latest first extra-inning game in a season for LMU since 1999 when LMU reached extras for the first time in its 47th game.
WHAT'S THE RUSH?
Through 52 games this year, LMU's average time of game is 2:32. LMU's fastest game this year came on May 7 when LMU and Cal State Bakersfield met for 1:58. That time is the fastest game for the Lions since 1999. LMU and CSUB also put a second time in the top-10 fastest since 1999, playing for 2:06 in a lopsided 11-1 victory for LMU on May 8. The Lions have played a number of other quick games this year, including February 19 at UC Riverside, as the teams played for an even 2:00 flat - which is the third-fastest game played for LMU since 1999. The Lions then played against Hawai'i on March 6, defeating the Rainbows, 4-1, in 2:01. LMU also hosted Portland for 2:04 in a 3-2 loss on May 21 and 2:07 in a 10-inning 3-2 victory on May 22, marking the fifth and seventh-fastest games since 1999. A game against Gonzaga on April 15 also placed in the top-10 fastest since 1999, as the two met for 2:10. LMU played yet another top-10 fastest game on April 21 at Pepperdine, defeating the Waves, 5-2, in 2:11. The longest game this year for the Lions came on May 1 as the Lions and San Francisco played for 4:05 over 13 innings. The second-longest game was played on February 19 at UC Riverside and lasted 3:26...including a 30-minute rain delay.
PITCHING IS THE NAME OF THE GAME
LMU as a team has sported a 3.27 ERA through the first 52 games of the 2011 season. That mark, which ranks third in the WCC this week, is the best ERA through the first 52 games of a season since at least 1999 (game records begin in 1999). LMU has never had an ERA under 5.00 through 52 games over that span.
TO THE POLLS
The Lions have received votes three times this year, with the latest coming on April 11 from the USA Today/ESPN Coaches' Poll. The Lions earned a vote in that same poll on March 28 after previously receiving votes in two publications for the week of February 28, getting a nod from the National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association and the USA Today/ESPN Coaches. Prior to this year, LMU last received votes on two occasions in 2009, on May 4 (USA Today/ESPN) and April 13 (NCBWA).
THROWING UP ZEROS
LMU has posted five shutouts this year, blanking San Diego State on March 15 (5-0), then-No. 14 UC Irvine on March 19 (4-0), Cal State Northridge on March 26 (8-0), Santa Clara on April 8 (3-0) to open West Coast Conference Play, and Saint Mary's on May 14 (5-0). The five shutouts, which are tied for second-most in program history, are the most in a season for the Lions since posting a program-record six in 1988. In addition to 1988, LMU also posted six in 1975. In addition to the shutouts, LMU pitching has recorded 16 straight shutout innings on the hill, stretching back to the fifth inning of the first game on May 14 at Saint Mary's.
GET `EM OVER
Senior Jonathan Johnson leads the team in sacrifice bunts, laying down 16 to help LMU to 58 as a squad. The 16 sacrifice bunts place Johnson first in the WCC this week, while LMU's 58 rank second amongst WCC teams.
DOUBLE THE FUN
Junior Matt Koch has proven to be a consistent doubles hitter in 2011, collecting 22 so far to place tied for first in the WCC this week. Koch, joined by Alex Guthrie with 13, has paced LMU to 85 as a team to place fifth in the conference. Koch, who ranks tied for eighth in the LMU single-season record book for his 22 doubles this year, entered the week ranked 17th in the nation in doubles per game and 18th in doubles.
IT'S JUST A NUMBER
LMU perennially squares-off against quality teams not only on the weekends, but also in midweek contests, competing in the baseball-rich landscape of Southern California. With a loss to No. 7 Cal State Fullerton on March 1, a 1-2 record in a three-game series with then-No. 14 UC Irvine on March 18 and 19, a second loss to then-No. 8 Cal State Fullerton on April 12 by a count of 5-0, a 1-2 record over a three-game series with then-No. 24 Gonzaga from April 15-17, and a third loss to No. 9 Fullerton by a count of 8-1 on May 18, LMU is 2-7 this year against ranked-foes. Last season LMU was 1-3 against ranked-opponents, dropping each of the first three games of the season to then-No. 7 UC Irvine before defeating No. 9 Cal State Fullerton on May 18. In 2009, LMU finished 9-2 against ranked opponents. The only two losses came at the hands of UC Irvine (March 31 and April 13). LMU took down then-No. 5 UC Irvine on March 3, swept then-No. 24 Fresno State in a four-game series from March 20-24, beat then-No. 6 Cal State Fullerton on April 7, and finally swept San Diego in conference play from May 1-3. As of this week, two Lion opponents (Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine) are ranked in one of the four major polls.
ANOTHER TOUGH SCHEDULE
According to boydsworld.com, the 2011 schedule ranked 19th in the nation in terms of projected Strength of Schedule (SOS) in the preseason, which takes into account the projected results and success of LMU's opponents this season. LMU currently ranks 30th in Strength of Schedule, 60th in Iterative Strength Rating (ISR), which is essentially a measure of the quality of a team's season by combining its winning percentage with the difficulty of its schedule, and 108th in Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), the official measure of team quality used by the tournament selection committee. This year's slate consists of 55 games, including 28 at home in Page Stadium. The schedule also features 13 games against 2010 NCAA Regional qualifiers, including three games against Super Regional participant Cal State Fullerton. Four of LMU's opponents (Cal State Fullerton, San Diego, UC Irvine and Hawai'i) were listed in one of the major four polls to begin the season, with Fullerton ranked as high as eighth according to Baseball America.
TWIN KILLINGS
LMU turned seven double plays against UC Riverside to open the year, including four alone in the first game of the doubleheader on February 19. Through 52 games, LMU has turned 56 double plays total, averaging 1.08 per game. That average puts LMU on pace to turn 59 double plays this year. In addition to the four double plays turned in the game at UC Riverside, LMU also turned four on April 16 versus then-No. 24 Gonzaga and four against Cal State Bakersfield on May 8. The four double plays fall one short of the LMU game record of five on May 14, 2008 versus UC Irvine. Overall during the weekend series with the Highlanders to open the year, LMU turned five inning-ending double plays en route to taking three of four games from UC Riverside.
WHAT A RELIEF!
LMU relievers have combined for a 2.56 ERA through the first 52 games this season. The bullpen didn't allow an earned run over the first 17 innings this year. LMU's relief crew has amassed 137.1 innings of work, collecting 11 saves and striking out 97 hitters while allowing 49 runs (39 earned). Opponents are hitting .239 against the Lion bullpen.
AN ALL-AROUND CLOSER
Serving as LMU's closer, junior Ryan Hawthorne recorded a pair of saves in the weekend series against UC Riverside to open the year, but perhaps his best game-finishing performance came in the series finale when he contributed the game-winning hit to hand LMU a 2-1 walk-off win and the series victory over the Highlanders. The native of Granada Hills, Calif. now sports a team-best nine saves this year, placing second in the WCC. His saves total also places third in the LMU single-season record books in that category and tied for seventh in the LMU career record book.
Sunday's Senior Day baseball game against San Diego is this week's TEAM LMU Game of the Week. The purpose of TEAM LMU is to bring Lion fans together as one, creating an atmosphere that helps build the Lions into champions, while allowing all to enjoy the benefits of our corporate partners. For more information about TEAM LMU, log on to:
www.LMULions.com/teamlmu
HOME SWEET HOME
Now in its 29th season as the home of Lion baseball in 2011, George C. Page Stadium has established itself as a tough place for opponents. Boasting features such as the Mikos Blue Monster, Pride Park and the Lion's Cage down the line in right field, Page Stadium continues to stake its claim as one of college baseball's most unique ballparks. The Mikos Blue Monster is a replica to Boston's Fenway Park's Green Monster. The Mikos Blue Monster stands 130-feet wide and 37-feet tall. Within the wall is one of only a handful of manual scoreboards in all of college baseball. The board itself isn't small, standing 18-feet tall and 46-feet wide. The Lions, who have posted a 468-352-4 (.570) overall record in the park's 28 seasons, including a 15-10 mark this year, have claimed five conference titles while calling Page Stadium home. The first Page Stadium conference title came in 1986, when the Lions posted a 24-8 record at home. The best record came in 1988, when LMU was 30-5 at home (.857).
TORERO TALK
San Diego enters the weekend series with the Lions sporting a 22-28 overall record and an 11-7 record in the WCC. Corey LeVier leads the team in batting average at .373, while Kris Bryant has scored a team-best 55 runs and hit a team-high nine home runs. Zack Kometani is the team's leading RBI-man, driving in 52. Kevin Muno leads USD in stolen bases with 20 to help the Toreros to 81 as a team. Calvin Drummond (3-4, 3.28) is slated to get the ball on Friday, followed by Chris Jensen (3-6, 3.84) on Saturday. San Diego leads the all-time series between the two teams, 81-69-1. LMU is 2-3 over the last five games, and 4-6 over the last 10, against the Toreros.
INSIDE THE DUGOUT
Sophomore left-hander Matt Florer will be blogging throughout the season to give an insider's perspective on LMU baseball. Check back in regularly to see what Matt has to share, and to see the weekly winner of the "Zoo Crew Member of the Week" award. To read "Inside the Dugout with Matt Florer," please head to:
Inside the Dugout with Matt Florer
NEW INTERACTIVE YEARBOOK AVAILABLE ONLINE
LMU Athletics, in conjunction with zmags.com, is proud to offer fans a new interactive publication viewing experience. All LMU yearbooks in 2010-11 will incorporate zmags' Flash-enabled technology to bring fans clickable content featuring videos and live updated web links. Despite the transition from printed guides to online content, LMU interactive guides will continue to feature player and coach biographies, team histories, and information about Loyola Marymount University and its athletics programs. The publications will work in tandem with LMU's official athletics website, www.LMULions.com, to offer up-to-date statistics and news. Additionally, the publications are easily downloadable and printable, allowing fans to take the documents with them. All historical information is available in a second PDF publication, also on www.LMULions.com. To view the 2011 publications, please visit:
2011 LMU Interactive Yearbook and Record Book
GRIFFIN GARNERS NATIONAL/WCC WEEKLY HONORS
Sophomore Aaron Griffin was rewarded for his stellar week of play during the week of May 9-15, garnering Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week, West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Week, and CollegiateBaseballInsider.com West Pitcher of the Week selections. The national honor, which is the first of Griffin's career, is handed out weekly by Collegiate Baseball. The selection from the WCC is the second in Griffin's career, and it marks the seventh time that the Lions have been selected either Pitcher or Player of the Week this year. Griffin did not allow an earned run in 15.1 innings last week, as he struck out 14 batters over his two starts. Griffin began the week by tossing six and a third innings and leaving with a 2-1 lead on Monday versus Cal State Bakersfield en route to a no decision. The native of El Cajon, Calif. allowed an unearned run on three hits and two walks while striking out a career-high eight batters in that game. On Sunday at Saint Mary's, Griffin tossed his second career complete game, and his first career complete-game shutout, to improve to 6-3. The right-hander threw 116 pitches, allowing six hits and one walk while striking out six hitters. He retired 12 straight batters from the end of the second through two out in the sixth.
LIONS THREE-PEAT IN SOLES4SOULS EFFORT
LMU won the West Coast Conference Soles4Souls campaign for the third straight year, donating a total of 2,475 pairs of shoes that will go to disaster relief areas. For its efforts, LMU hosted a pizza party at a game against Gonzaga on April 16. Soles4Souls is a non-profit organization based out of Alabama that was created by Wayne Elsey as a response to the 2004 tsunami that hit Southeast Asia. Now, after having coordinated relief efforts for the Asian Tsunami and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Soles4Souls has already successfully donated over one million pairs of shoes to those hurting both domestically and internationally.
WHO NEEDS RUN SUPPORT?
LMU allowed just one earned run over a three-game sweep of Santa Clara University to start West Coast Conference play last weekend, outscoring the Broncos 21-3. After Wheeler's complete game shutout (you can read more about that performance under the headline "ROE AND WHEELER EARN CONFERENCE WEEKLY HONORS," Alex Gillingham also came to play on Saturday, dealing his third complete game of the year as the Lions bested SCU, 7-1. Gillingham needed only 105 pitches to complete the game and improve his record to 5-2. The native of Thousand Oaks, Calif. allowed seven hits and did not walk a batter while surrendering an unearned run in the first inning and striking out four. Sophomore Aaron Griffin allowed just two runs (one earned) over 5.1 innings on Sunday before the Lion bullpen finished the game with 3.2 innings of scoreless relief.
ROE AND WHEELER EARN CONFERENCE WEEKLY HONORS
LMU had its hand in both the WCC Player and Pitcher of the Week accolades on April 11, as junior Jason Wheeler was named WCC Pitcher of the Week and junior Shon Roe earned Co-WCC Player of the Week. The player of the week selection was the fourth of the season for LMU, while Wheeler's Pitcher of the Week selection was the second for the Lions this year. The honor was the first in both players' careers. Wheeler threw a complete-game shutout on Friday as LMU defeated Santa Clara, 3-0. Wheeler threw 127 pitches on Friday, including 83 for strikes en route to the victory. The native of Torrance, Calif. posted a line of nine scoreless innings, allowing seven hits and one walk while striking out six. The lefty retired the final 10 batters he faced in the game. The shutout was the fourth of the year for LMU, including the second complete-game shutout. Roe batted .429 (6-for-14) over four games last week, collecting at least one hit in all four games. Roe collected six runs scored, a triple, three walks and five RBI. He reached at a .556 clip and slugged .571 while stealing three bases. Roe had three hits, including a triple, with three RBI on Saturday against Santa Clara before posting two more in Sunday's 11-2 victory. The native of Palmdale went 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored against USC on Tuesday before going 1-for-2 with two runs scored and one walk to open the three-game series with Santa Clara on Friday. Overall in the series against Santa Clara, Roe batted .417 (5-for-12) with four runs scored, five RBI, a triple, a walk and three stolen bases. He reached at a .500 clip and slugged .583.
KOCH ON THE BENCH AGAIN
For the second straight year, junior Matt Koch was named to the Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award Watch List, it was announced by The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission on March 10. Forty-two catchers were nominated for the award by their coaches, but because the award is given annually to the top Division I collegiate catcher, the list will be updated to include other candidates until May 6, 2011. Koch is the only catcher from the WCC currently on the list. The annual award serves to honor those athletes that serve as a team's starting catcher in at least 75% of the games. Nominees that end up playing primarily another position, such as designated hitter, or those that split their time with another catcher in a 50/50 situation will be disqualified from semifinalist selection.
THE WORKHORSE IS REWARDED
Junior Alex Gillingham has tossed at least seven innings in 12 of his first 13 starts this year, including four complete games - one a complete-game shutout against then-No. 14 UC Irvine on March 19. Two of Gillingham's three losses this year have come in complete games, as he has received a combined three runs of support in the losses. For his efforts against UCI, the right-hander took home a spot on the College Baseball Foundation's National All-Star Lineup on March 24. He also claimed WCC Pitcher of the Week recognition on March 21, becoming the fourth consecutive Lion player lauded by the conference this year. Matt Lowenstein (February 28), Bret Dahlson (March 7) and Alex Guthrie (March 14) each claimed WCC Player of the Week selections over the previous three weeks. The Pitcher of the Week selection was the first for the Lions since Aaron Griffin was named Co-Pitcher of the Week on March 29, 2010. Gillingham tossed a complete-game shutout as LMU defeated No. 14 UC Irvine by a count of 4-0 on March 19 in the first game of a doubleheader at Page Stadium. Gillingham, tossed 130 pitches (86 strikes) en route to the first complete-game shutout for the Lions since Martin Viramontes shut out Saint Mary's on May 2, 2010. The native of Thousand Oaks, Calif. finished the game with a career-best 11 strikeouts and walked just one while allowing three hits. He retired 17 straight from two out in the first through one out in the seventh.
GUTHRIE EARNS LMU'S THIRD STRAIGHT WEEKLY HONOR
Alex Guthrie ran the total of West Coast Conference Player of the Week selections to three straight for LMU, claiming the honor on March 14. Matt Lowenstein was named WCC Player of the Week on February 28, followed by Bret Dahlson on March 7. For his efforts, Guthrie was also named CollegeBaseballInsider.com's West Player of the Week. Guthrie hit .529 over the week, finishing 9-for-17 with four doubles, four runs scored and eight RBI. The native of Sunnyvale, Calif. slugged .765 and reached at a .529 clip. Guthrie hit safely in each of the four games, extending his hitting streak to eight straight games to that point. LMU's third baseman collected multiple hits in each of the final three games against the Mustangs, including a career-high tying three hits on Saturday in game one, and three more in the series finale. Guthrie posted a pair of doubles in both of the final games, including notching a career-high five RBI on Sunday.
LIONS SWEEP FEBRUARY PLAYER OF THE MONTH HONORS
The LMU baseball team swept the WCC Player of the Month awards for the month of February, as sophomore Matt Lowenstein was named WCC Player of the Month and junior Martin Viramontes took home WCC Pitcher of the Month accolades. The Pitcher of the Month selection is the first for LMU since Lee Roberts was named Pitcher of the Month for his work in April of 2009. The Player of the Month selection is the first for the Lions since 2003 when Jonathan Oller took home the honor for the month of March. The Lions went 7-1 over the course of the month of February. The start marked just the third time that LMU had began a season with a record of 7-1 or better. Lowenstein batted .519 for the month of February. The left-handed hitter collected a team-best nine runs scored, a triple and five RBI while drawing seven walks out of the leadoff spot in all but one game. He reached base at a .611 clip and slugged .593 while stealing a pair of bases. Viramontes went 2-0 with a 1.46 ERA over two starts in the month of February. The right-hander tossed 12.1 innings and allowed just three runs (two earned) while striking out 12. Opponents hit a measly .182 off the native of Fresno, Calif.
WEEK OF FIRSTS FOR DAHLSON
Freshman Bret Dahlson was named WCC Player of the Week, it was announced by the conference office on March 8. For Dahlson, the selection is the first of his career, while it marked the second in as many weeks for the Lions. Sophomore Matt Lowenstein took home the honor on February 28. Dahlson batted .400 for the week, finishing 6-for-15 with two runs scored, a pair of doubles, a home run and five RBI. The home run, which came on the first pitch of the eighth inning on March 3, was the first of Dahlson's career, and the first of the year for LMU. Dahlson, a native of Yorba Linda, Calif., slugged .733, reached at a .438 clip and stole one base over the course of the week. Dahlson hit safely in four of the five games played, including a pair of hits in each of the first two (at No. 7 Cal State Fullerton on March 1 and versus Hawai'i on March 3). The right-handed hitter also collected three RBI on March 5 against Hawai'i, finishing 1-for-3 with a double. The two hits against Cal State Fullerton marked the first career multiple-hit game for Dahlson, while the three RBI against Hawai'i spelled the first multiple-RBI effort for the freshman.
LOWENSTEIN NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sophomore Matt Lowenstein was named WCC Player of the Week, the conference office announced on February 28. The selection was Lowenstein's first of his career, and the first for the Lions in 2011. Lowenstein hit safely in all four games last week, batting .667 over the course of the week with eight runs scored, a triple, four walks and five RBI. He collected multiple hits in three of the four games, and multiple RBI in two of the four. In addition to reaching base at a .700 clip and slugging .800, Lowenstein stole one base and collected a sacrifice fly. The native of Chino Hills, Calif. went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two walks on Tuesday at Long Beach State before finishing 3-for-4 with two runs scored, a walk, a stolen base and two RBI against Nevada on Friday. After a 1-for-4 day with a run scored on Saturday, Lowenstein went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, a triple and three RBI on Sunday to finish the week.
PICKED BEFORE THE PITCH
Four LMU baseball players earned Preseason All-West Coast Conference selections, the conference office announced on February 10. The four selections are more than any other WCC team. A Freshman All-American, and last year's WCC Freshman of the Year, Matt Lowenstein is joined by senior Jonathan Johnson and juniors Martin Viramontes and Ryan Hawthorne on the Preseason All-Conference team. Hawthorne capped the 2010 season by being selected first team All-WCC. The four players highlight a team that is picked to finish fifth in the competitive West Coast Conference.
A BIT OF BACKDRAFT
Two of the three Lion players selected in 2010 MLB Draft are back with the team in 2011. The Tampa Bay Rays selected then-redshirt-sophomore catcher Matt Koch with the 671st overall pick in the 22nd round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft on June 8, while fellow redshirt-sophomore Martin Viramontes was taken just five rounds later, selected as the 835th overall pick in the 27th round by the New York Yankees. Former Lion Xavier Esquivel also went in the draft, taken by the San Diego Padres with the 1,024th overall pick in the 34th round.
AND THE SURVEY SAYS
For the second straight year, the LMU baseball team was picked to finish fifth overall in the West Coast Conference in 2011. LMU earned 23 total points in the annual preseason coaches' poll conducted by the league's eight head coaches. San Diego garnered six first-place votes and amassed 49 overall points. The coaches selected Pepperdine to finish second in the WCC with 39 points, followed by San Francisco in third with 33 points. Portland, which captured the remaining first place vote, came in fourth with 32 points. LMU and Gonzaga (20 points) were selected fifth and sixth, while Santa Clara (16 points) and Saint Mary's (12 points) rounded out the poll.
GET OFF ON THE RIGHT `PAW'
Since 2001, LMU has been victorious in seven of its 11 games on Opening Day, earning a 4-1 decision over UC Riverside this season after falling to No. 7 UC Irvine on the road last season by a count of 5-1. LMU earned an 8-7 "walk-off" victory in 11 innings over Utah in 2009. The Lions defeated Cal State Northridge, 7-3, in 2001's opener at Page Stadium before defeating UC Santa Barbara on the road to start the 2002 campaign. LMU failed to make it three-straight in 2003, dropping a one-run decision to Cal to open the year. LMU was back to its winning ways in 2004, knocking-off UC Riverside, 5-4, and getting revenge against Cal with a one-run victory in 2005. Starting the 2006 season on the road in Arizona, LMU dropped the first game of the year, 10-5, before rebounding in 2007 with a 9-5 victory over Sac State. Sac State got the best of the Lions in 2008, defeating LMU by a count of 11-7 to open that season in Sacramento.
PCH CHALLENGE
Separated by 19.1 miles of scenic coastline, longtime cross-town adversaries Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine have come together in an effort to boost their decades-long rivalry with the creation of the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) Challenge. The series, which is in its second year, serves as an annual scorecard for the NCAA-sponsored athletic contests between the Lions and Waves, and challenges each institution to rise above the other within the West Coast Conference. LMU and Pepperdine will be represented by over 12 of their intercollegiate athletic teams through both regular and post-season competitions over the course of the academic calendar. Any head-to-head competition, including matches in the postseason and tournaments throughout the year, will be counted toward the scoring and added to the scorecard as they occur. For the sports in which the two teams do not meet head-to-head, the teams will battle for points that will be awarded on the basis of overall finish at their respective postseason championships. Pepperdine won the contest for the second consecutive year in 2011, 12.0-6.0. To learn more about the PCH Challenge and view the current scorecard, please visit:
PCH Cup Homepage
LOCALLY GROWN
Twenty-eight of LMU's 31 baseball players on the 2011 roster hail from California. Of those 28 players from California, 24 are from cities within 100 miles of the LMU campus. The three out-of-state players are sophomore Zac Fujimoto from Aiea, Hawai'i; freshman Kevin Kennedy from Phoenix, Ariz.; and sophomore Steve Dueñas from Kirkland, Wash.
