March 24, 2018 Box Score
Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh, senior Jamey Smart delivered a two-out three-RBI double down the right field line to eventually hand LMU (11-11, 4-1 WCC) a 5-3 victory over Pepperdine (10-12, 2-3 WCC) on Saturday night from LMU's Page Stadium. The victory evened a three-game West Coast Conference series between the two teams.
THE GAME-WINNER: LMU managed to load the bases with nobody out in that seventh inning, but reliever Michael Mahony struck out Nick Sogard and Niko Decolati to record two out and send Smart to the plate. The senior out of San Ramon, Calif. wasted no time delivering, punching the first pitch down the line to make sure the Waves didn't wriggle off the hook.
OFFENSIVE LIONS OF THE GAME: Smart was the offensive hero, making the most of his one hit on the night. The hit also extended Smart's hitting streak to an LMU-best nine games. Sophomore Trevin Esquerra also shined offensively, batting 2-for-4 with two RBI, including one on a solo homer to put LMU on the board in the second. The round-tripper was Esquerra's team-leading third of the season.
THE WINNER AND LOSER: Neither starter factored in the decision, as reliever Jeremy Farraye allowed LMU to load the bases in the seventh before Mahony took over. Smart's three-RBI double put Farraye on the hook for the loss, ultimately sending him to 1-3 on the season. Braydon Salzman tossed 2.0 perfect innings of relief, including striking out three, to improve to 1-0 on the year.
A SAVE IN HIS RETURN: Redshirt-senior Tyler Cohen made his first appearance of the year after missing all of 2017 due to offseason surgery. The right-hander entered in the ninth inning and struck out a pair over a perfect 1-2-3 frame to lock up the save and seal LMU's victory. Cohen had not appeared in a game for LMU since making a start on May 13, 2016 vs. Gonzaga.
BOX SCORE NOTES: Pepperdine out-hit LMU, 8-7 ... the Lions were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position before Smart's three-RBI double in the seventh ... despite the missed opportunities over the course of the game, LMU did go 4-for-11 in two-out at bats ... Josh Agnew tossed the first 6.0 innings for LMU, allowing just three runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out two ... the quality start was the fourth of the year for Agnew ... right-hander Christian Stoutland also took a no-decision after throwing the first 5.1 innings and allowing just two runs (one earned) on six hits with three strikeouts for Pepperdine ... Jordan Qsar handed Pepperdine an early 2-1 lead with a two-RBI single in the third, and Cory Wills broke a 2-2 tie with a solo homer in the sixth -- his first homer of the year.
LION NOTES: LMU began the year 3-10 for the first time since 2010 ... that 2010 team went on to win five straight and 10 of the next 11 ... the Lions are now 8-1 since the 3-10 start this year, including winning seven straight to start the string ... LMU has now won four of the last five, and five of the last seven, against Pepperdine overall ... the Lions are now 38-62 at home against the Waves all-time.
ON DECK: LMU will conclude the three-game series with Pepperdine on Sunday at 1 p.m. The rubber game of the WCC series will also decide who claims points in the PCH Cup -- the annual scorecard between LMU and Pepperdine over the course of the year. Live links to follow all the action can be found at LMULions.com.
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS: LMU still has 14 home games remaining to be played at Page Stadium. New ticket plans start at $50 for a General Admission season ticket, while Reserved season tickets can be purchased for $99. Members of LMU's Little Lions Club also get into all LMU home baseball games as part of the membership, while students, faculty and staff with a valid One Card also receive free General Admission access to every home game. Reserved season tickets behind home plate include a nameplate on your chair identifying your seat(s). Fans can also package a mini plan to include any five home games this year, with prices starting at $30. To purchase season tickets, mini plans or single-game tickets, please contact the LMU Box Office at 310-338-5466 or visit LMULions.com/tickets.
