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Lions Record 20 Hits, Crush No. 12 Oregon State, 13-3
March 7, 2008
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - LMU (4-7) collected 20 hits and posted 13 runs to defeat No. 12 Oregon State (4-4) by a score of 13-3 on Friday in game two of the Aztec Invitational played in San Diego, Calif. this weekend. Ryan Wheeler paced the Lion offense, finishing 4-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI. Angelo Songco had a standout day at the plate, batting 3-for-5 with a home run (his first of the season), three runs scored and two RBI. Senior Andy Preston also collected three hits in the game, finishing 3-for-5 with a run scored and a RBI. Junior Ollie Enos contributed two RBI in the victory, while shortstop Kyle Spraker added two runs scored. Perhaps overshadowed by the extraordinary run production was a fantastic start from junior right-hander, Mike Kenney. Kenney tossed a career-high seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out three batters to improve to 3-0 on the season. Ernie Cho followed with one inning of scoreless work while striking out two batters before left-hander Steve Connolly retired the side in the ninth to finish the game on the hill for the Lions. Daniel Robertson and Drew George were the only multiple-hit performers for Oregon State, with both finishing 2-for-3 in the game. Robertson added two RBI and a run scored, while George contributed a RBI of his own in the loss.
Mike Stutes got the start and the loss, lasting five innings and allowing four runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out six batters. A team of seven relievers combined to pitch the final four innings, with Reed Brown tossing an inning and two-thirds scoreless. LMU jumped on the defending National Champions in the first inning, plating three runs on five hits. Spraker got the ball rolling with a one-out double before Preston singled home the first run of the game. Two batters later, Songco singled to put runners at the corners with two out. Enos followed with a RBI-single down the left field line before Wheeler followed suit with a RBI-single into right centerfield to score Songco and the third run of the inning. Oregon State responded back to tie the game at three runs apiece in the fourth. Joey Wong led things off with a double before moving to third base on a wild pitch. After a walk and a stolen base put runners at first and second with no outs, Kenney retired the next two hitters in order to lessen the pressure. The Beavers would not let the right-hander off the hook, as Robertson connected on a two-RBI single and George plated the final run with a double one batter later. LMU refused to surrender momentum, plating a single run on one swing of the bat in the sixth. Songco swung at the first pitch of his at bat in the frame and blasted it over the wall in right field for a leadoff solo-shot. The Lions blew the game wide open in the seventh, scoring six runs on six hits and three errors. Back-to-back singles by A.J. LaMonda and Spraker got things going in the inning. A single by Dovel loaded the bases with one out just a few moments later. Back-to-back errors by Beaver third baseman Garrett Nash plated the first two runs of the inning before an error by Jason Ogata allowed the third run to cross on the ensuing play. Matt Koch followed with a bases-loaded walk to collect a RBI and push the fourth run of the frame in for LMU. RBI-singles by Michael Glomb and LaMonda capped the six-run seventh. LMU added three more runs in the top of the ninth to extend its lead to 13-3. Wheeler collected his fourth hit of the game before pinch-hitter Brett Mendoza singled to put runners at first and second. A walk to Glomb loaded the bases before Justin Bunkis collected a RBI-single to score Wheeler. After a RBI-groundout by T.J. Filicia and a walk to Andrew Irvine, T.J. Bernardy walked to force in the final run of the game. The Lions will return to action tomorrow at 7 p.m. as they take on the host San Diego State Aztecs at Tony Gwynn Stadium. Right-hander Martin Viramontes is slated to start for the Lions. |
