MALIBU – The Loyola Marymount University Lions (13-22, 6-10 WCC) got a quality start from
Josh Agnew and enough runs to cruise past Pepperdine University 4-1 on Friday afternoon to take the first contest of their three-game West Coast Conference set.
The Lions turned to Agnew to open the series against the Waves and he produced his best outing of the season. The righty threw seven innings or five hit baseball, striking out two while surrendering a run against 30 Pepperdine batters.
LMU didn't waste any time getting runs on the board.
Kenny Oyama drew a game opening walk and was brought home off an RBI single from
Julian Bury. The Lions loaded the bases later in the inning and pushed across their second run when the Waves starter balked.
Matthew Piotrowski got the Lions back on the board in the top half of the third with his single through the left side scoring
Diego Baqueiro who singled earlier to begin the frame.
The Lions loaded the bases with no outs in the top half of the fifth but the next two batters were quickly retired putting
Ben Grunberg at the plate. With Grunberg at the dish the first pitch he saw hit him squarely on the foot sending in the Lions fourth run of the game.
LMU loaded the bases again in the top of the eighth with one gone but two outs in foul territory ended the threat by the Lions to add to their run total.
Agnew stepped onto the mound to start the bottom of the eighth but issued an inning opening walk which prompted head coach
Nathan Choate to bring in relief ace
Holden Christian. With a man on first the Lions defense turned a 4-6-3 double play to wipe out the Pepperdine threat. Christian was able to get the next batter to pop out ending the inning.
The Waves went quietly in the ninth with Christian getting a groundout and a pair of strikeouts to end the game and preserve the victory for LMU.
The Lions and Waves are right back at Eddy D. Field Stadium for the second of the three-game set with
Matt McClure going opposite Cooper Chandler. First pitch between the Lions and Waves is slated for 1:00 p.m.