April 12, 2008

Box Score

Los Angeles, CA - Saint Mary's (18-13/3-5 WCC) scored first to start off the game, but could not overcome the big middle innings of Loyola Marymount (18-16/4-4 WCC), as the Lions put up crooked numbers in the bottom of the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th innings.

Following the second inning the Gaels had a 4-2 lead following a RBI double from freshman Justin Fazio, and a RBI single from senior Brian Hawkins. That lead would not remain however, as the Lions put up big numbers in the middle innings.

Sophomore starting pitcher Brandon Berl (4-3) could not get out of the bottom of the third, going 2.2 innings, giving up seven hits, five runs, all earned, two walks, and one strike out. The third was the big inning for the lions as they put up three runs to take the lead for good, on their way to putting up 15 runs, on a season high 24 hits.

The Lions had eight batters with multi hit days, highlighted by 2007 WCC Freshman Player of the Year, Angelo Songco's 4-for-4 day, scoring three runs, and knocking in two. Songco added his eighth double of the season and his seventh homerun of the season.

As they have most of the season, the Gaels battled hard till the end scoring a run in the top of the 5th, 6th and three in the top of the ninth. The ninth was kicked off by Hawkins double to right center, the double was Hawkins third hit of the day as the senior went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two knocked in.

Following two consecutive hit batters and a strike out, the bases were loaded for sophomore left fielder Kyle Jensen who was hitless on the day until he hit a single on a 2-2 count. The single scored Hawkins and freshman Michael Gastelum. Fazio's second double on the afternoon scored sophomore Ryan Mulligan and advanced Jensen to third, but would advance no further.

Jensen's single extended his current hitting streak to seven games. Also extending a hitting streak was sophomore Anthony Aliotti whose current streak now stands at four games after going 1-for-3 with two runs scored.

Picking up the win for the Lions was Andy Beal (4-3) who went 6.2 innings pitched, giving up 10 hits, six runs, five earned, two walks, and one strike out.

Sophomore Randy Wells, got things started off in the top of the first with a solo homerun, the homerun was Wells' third of the season, crushing the ball to centerfield. Wells finished the day going 2-for-4 with a run scored and one knocked in.

Coming in on relief for the Gaels was freshman Dorsey Ek, who continues to build on his strong freshman campaign, going 3.1 innings, giving up six hits, two runs, both earned, no walks, and no strike outs.

The Gaels and Lions will decide the winner of the series tomorrow as the rubber match is scheduled for a 1:00 PM first pitch at George C. Page Stadium.