April 10, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - THIS WEEK

THE SCHEDULE
Games 33-36
LMU Lions vs. Saint Mary's Gaels
Friday, April 11, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. at LMU's Page Stadium
Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at LMU's Page Stadium
Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at LMU's Page Stadium
LMU Lions vs. Cal Poly Mustangs
Wednesday, Apr. 16, 2008 at 3 p.m. at Cal Poly's Baggett Stadium

LIONS' ALL-ACCESS
Check out LMU baseball on Lions' All-Access. LMU's Tyler Geivett and a host of other LMU broadcasters will have the call. Thanks to an agreement with CSTV, more than 150 LMU Athletics events will air live via the internet again this season. Every baseball game will be broadcast over the Internet free of charge on LMULions.com.

LMU ON THE WEB
Get the latest in LMU sports news via the official home of LMU athletics on the Internet. Visit www.LMULions.com 24-hours a day for scores, stats, features, photos and up-to date news releases on every intercollegiate sport. Listen live to all the action from Lions' All-Access and follow the game through GAMETRACKER.

BRIEFLY
The Lions will continue conference play this weekend as they host Saint Mary's College before visiting Cal Poly on Wednesday of next week. Friday's game is slated for 3 p.m. while Saturday and Sunday will both be played at 1 p.m. Wednesday's game in San Luis Obispo will have a first pitch of 3 p.m.

LAST WEEK
The Lions are coming off a 1-3 week last week, being swept in a three-game conference series against the University of San Francisco over the weekend in San Francisco, Calif. LMU fell 9-5 in game one against USF on Friday. Ryan Wheeler and A.J. LaMonda paced the Lion offense on the day, with Wheeler finishing 3-for-4 with his third home run of the season, two RBI and a walk. LaMonda batted 3-for-4 with a home run, a run scored and a RBI, while Michael Glomb and Brett Mendoza each collected a double in the loss. The home run was LaMonda's second of the year. Freshman Martin Viramontes lasted five innings, allowing six runs (three earned) on nine hits and a walk while striking out six batters en route to being tagged with his third loss of the season. The Lions managed just five hits, including two from sophomore Angelo Songco, before dropping game two against the Dons by a count of 4-1. Seniors Sean Dovel and Andy Preston, along with Mendoza, collected one hit apiece. Junior Mike Kenney lasted seven innings, allowing four runs on six hits and five walks while striking out one batter before being saddled with his second loss of the season. LMU was swept on Sunday after falling 8-2 in game three of the set at Benedetti Diamond. The Lions managed just five hits in the game, including two from Wheeler. The native of Torrance, Calif. finished 2-for-3 with a run scored, a sacrifice fly and a RBI. Glomb and Songco each collected a double in the loss, with Songco driving in the only other LMU run on the day. Senior Andy Beal got the start and lasted five and a third innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out four batters before taking the loss and falling to 3-3 on the season. Following the sweep, LMU hosted No. 16 Long Beach State on Tuesday. LMU snapped its four-game losing streak, taking a 7-3 victory over the Dirtbags at Page Stadium. Songco contributed his first career grand slam and junior right-hander Ernie Cho tossed six innings to guide LMU to the victory. Songco finished 1-for-5 with the grand slam in the fifth inning. The four RBI were a career-high for the centerfielder, topping his previous mark of three set three times. Cho, pitching in relief of Lee Roberts, pitched a career-long six innings, surrendering two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out a career-high six batters en route to his first victory of the season.

ATOP BOYD'S WORLD
LMU's schedule and success so far has resulted in high rankings according to Boyd's World. The Lions currently rank first in Strength of Schedule (SOS), which takes into account the results and success of LMU's opponents this season, 14th in Iterative Strength Ratings (ISR), which is essentially how tough a schedule looks today based on past results of the opponents and how LMU has fared thus far, and 37th in Ratings Power Index (RPI), the official NCAA measure of team quality used by the tournament selection committee. LMU is tops in the West Coast Conference in all categories.

KEEP THE "WHEELS" TURNING
Sophomore Ryan Wheeler is the hottest hitter in the Lion lineup as of late, collecting multiple hits in eight of his last 10 games and 10 of his last 13. The first baseman currently leads the team in batting average (.368), runs scored (24), total bases (63), slugging percentage (.538), on base percentage (.422), hits (43), triples (1) and RBI (26), and is second in doubles (9) and home runs (3). In addition to his impressive numbers with two out in an inning, Wheeler is also hitting .395 (30-for-76) against right-handed pitching, reaching base at a .469 clip (15-for-32) as a leadoff hitter in an inning and batting .429 (24-for-56) with runners on base.

LMU IN THE WCC
LMU currently sits in a tie for fourth place, toting a 3-3 record after two weeks of conference play. The Lions rank seventh overall in batting average (.288) amongst the eight teams. In other offensive categories, LMU is second in doubles (71), third in at bats (1114), sixth in runs scored (192), hits (321) and stolen bases (26), seventh in on-base percentage (.366), slugging percentage (.404), home runs (18), RBI (158) and walks (103), and eighth in triples (2). The LMU pitching staff ranks third overall in ERA, toting a 4.45 mark. In other categories, the Lions rank third in earned runs allowed (136), fourth in wins (17), innings pitched (275.0), walks (108) and strikeouts (222), fifth in hits allowed (304) and runs allowed (173), and sixth in batting average against (.285). Individually, Ryan Wheeler ranks eighth in batting average (.368), followed by A.J. LaMonda (19th-.328) and Andy Preston (24th-.317). LaMonda and Wheeler are tied for fourth in hits (43), while Angelo Songco ranks third in home runs (6). Wheeler also ranks ninth in RBI (26), eighth in total bases (63) and seventh in slugging percentage (.538). Sean Dovel is third in doubles (10), while Kyle Spraker ranks fifth in stolen bases (7). Junior Lee Roberts ranks 10th in ERA (3.82), followed by Andy Beal (13th-4.19), Martin Viramontes (14th-4.24) and Mike Kenney (22nd-5.44). In other pitching categories, Beal is tied for first in games started (8), while Roberts and Kenney are tied for second in complete games (1) and wins (5), respectively. Ernie Cho places third in appearances (15), followed closely by Roberts in fourth (14). Viramontes and Beal rank fourth and fifth in strikeouts, toting 43 and 41, in that order. Xavier Esquivel rounds out the individual accomplishments, placing fourth in saves with three.

A LEADER IN LaMONDA
Senior A.J. LaMonda has recorded a team-high 14 multiple hit games this season, including the only five-hit game for the Lions this year. LaMonda collected the career-high five hits against USD on March 9, finishing 5-for-6 with two runs scored, a triple and four RBI. Hitting out of the leadoff spot on the day, he became the first Lion to collect five hits in a game since Billy Lockin did so on March 24, 2002 versus San Francisco. The senior first baseman and outfielder currently ranks first in hits (43) and triples (1), second in batting average (.328), runs scored (23), total bases (58) and stolen bases (5), third in slugging percentage (.443), walks (10), RBI (20), and fourth in home runs (2) anD on base percentage (.396).

TOUGH WITH TWO OUT
LMU as a team is batting .270 (97-for-359) with two outs in an inning this season. Will Dugoni is batting an unbelievable .615 (8-for-13) with two outs this year, followed by Ryan Wheeler at .382 (13-for-34). A.J. LaMonda and Ollie Enos round out the top-four in the situation, posting marks of .361 (13-for-36) and .355 (11-for-31), in that order. Moreover, Wheeler is 9-for-15 (.600) with nine RBI with runners in scoring position and two outs in an inning. Dugoni is also batting .600 (3-for-5) in that situation, while Enos posts an impressive mark of .444 (8-for-18) as well. Wheeler has cashed-in on the most RBI in the situation, followed by Enos, LaMonda and Angelo Songco with seven apiece.

STELLAR SITUATIONAL STATISTICS
In addition to the success with two outs in an inning, LMU is posting some impressive numbers in a variety of other situations this year. The Lions are batting .303 (165-for-544) with runners on base, .463 (19-for-41) with the bases loaded (including two grand slams), and are putting the leadoff hitter in an inning on base at a .343 clip (96-for-280). The Lions post a mark of .600 (57-for-95) in at bats with a runner on third and less than two outs in a frame. On the defensive side, LMU pitching is allowing hitters just a .236 mark (39-for-165) with runners in scoring position and two outs.

PRESS ON, PRESTON
Senior first baseman and designated hitter Andy Preston is proving to be one of the most consistent hitters in the Lion lineup. The left-handed hitter ranks first in walks (14), second in on base percentage (.418) and home runs (3), third in batting average (.317), slugging percentage (.485) and RBI (20), and fourth in runs scored (18), doubles (8), total bases (49) and hits (32). Preston had one of the best games of all the Lions on March 9 vs. USD. The left-handed hitter batted 4-for-6 with a career-high six RBI, four of which came on a grand slam in the six-run ninth inning. Preston became the first hitter to collect five or more RBI in a game since Elvis Herrera collected five on April 13, 2007 at Saint Mary's. In addition, the Hutchinson, Kan. native was the first hitter to hit a grand slam since A.J. LaMonda did so on May 29, 2005 versus Pepperdine. Angelo Songco has since also connected on a grand slam this season, doing so on April 8 vs. No. 16 Long Beach State.

SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST
LMU has outscored opponents 23-9 in ninth innings or later this season. Included in that total is a 18-9 advantage in the ninth and 5-0 mark in extra innings. The Lions also hold an advantage over their opponents in the first (12-10), fifth (22-18), seventh (33-22) and eighth (15-10) innings. The second (23-20), third (19-17), fourth (32-26) and sixth (30-24) favor the opponents. In total, LMU has outscored opponents by a count of 192-173.

GAELS TALES
The Saint Mary's Gaels, coached by Jedd Soto (fifth year at SMC), are 17-12-1 (2-4 in WCC), last winning, 16-7, on April 8 versus Cal State Monterey Bay. Top hitters for Saint Mary's include Kyle Jensen (.408, 25 runs scored, eight doubles, a triple, nine home runs, 31 RBI), Cory Miller (.360, 23 runs scored, five doubles, 13 RBI) and Ryan Mulligan (.344, 13 runs scored, two doubles, a home runs, 14 RBI). Brian Justice leads the pitching staff, toting a 2.72 ERA and a 2-1 record in six starts and 43.0 innings pitched. Alex Jensen leads the team in relief appearances, contributing 22.1 innings over 11 appearances to the tune of a 4.84 ERA. In 2007, the Gaels finished 21-29-1 overall, 3-18 (8th) in the West Coast Conference.

BREAKING THE MUSTANGS
The Cal Poly Mustangs, coached by Larry Lee (sixth year at Cal Poly), are 11-17 (1-5 in Big West), last winning, 8-5, on April 9 against Fresno State. The Mustangs have won two straight games after dropping seven of their previous eight. Top hitters for Cal Poly include Luke Yoder (.382, 31 runs scored, nine doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 24 RBI), Ryan Lee (.379, 20 runs scored, five doubles, two triples, 13 RBI) and Logan Schafer (.366, 20 runs scored, nine doubles, a triple, three home runs, 26 RBI). Steven Fischback leads the starting rotation in ERA, toting a 5.02 mark and a 3-3 record in seven starts and 43.0 innings of work. Kevin Castner has turned in 13 relief appearances for the Mustangs. Jared Eskew leads the relief effort in terms of numbers, allowing 12 earned runs over 29.2 innings of work and striking out 23 batters over the span to the tune of a 3.64 ERA. In 2007, the Mustangs finished 32-24 overall, 13-8 (4th) in the always competitive Big West Conference.

WHEELER NAMED WCC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sophomore Ryan Wheeler was named WCC Player of the Week for the week ending March 31. The selection was the first of the season for LMU, and the first of Wheeler's career. Wheeler batted .545 (12-for-22) over the five games played, serving a crucial role in the Lions' 5-0 week. In addition to the .545 clip, Wheeler amassed seven runs scored, three doubles, a triple, a walk, a hit-by-pitch, six RBI, a stolen base and 17 total bases to the tune of a .773 slugging percentage and a .560 on base percentage. Wheeler hit safely in all five games over the span, collecting multiple hits in all but one.

THE AZTEC KINGS
Seniors A.J. LaMonda, Andy Beal and Andy Preston were named to the 2008 Aztec Invitational All-Tournament Team, it was announced March 10 at the conclusion of the five-day event. LaMonda was also named Tournament MVP as he helped lead the Lions to a 3-1 record and the Aztec Invitational Tournament Championship. LaMonda and Santa Clara's Ryan Conan shared the honor at first base. The Orange County, Calif. native batted .474 (9-for-19) with three runs scored, a triple, a walk, a stolen base and nine RBI over the four-game span. Preston batted .389 (7-for-18) with a double, four runs scored, a grand slam and seven RBI. Beal pitched six innings, allowing one run on three hits and three walks while striking out eight batters.

JACK TAKES THE HILL
Loyola Marymount baseball honored one of its newest and most loyal fans when Jack Steinberg tossed out the ceremonial first pitch to kick-off the 2008 season at Page Stadium on February 29. Jack was issued a Lion jersey earlier in the week, and was ready and excited to throw out the pitch on Friday. In a recent writing to the Westchester/Playa Del Rey Hometown News entitled "Follow the Crack of the Bat", Jack's mother, Ivey, detailed Jack's story and how he became associated with LMU baseball. To read the heartfelt column, please visit the following link on the baseball page at lmulions.com: www.lmulions.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/021408aag.html

LMU ON OPENING DAY
Since 2001, LMU has been victorious in five of its eight games on Opening Day, falling this season to Sac State, 11-7. 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 last season with a 9-5 victory over Sac State.

WALLACE WATCHES SONGCO
Outfielder Angelo Songco was named to the 2008 Brooks Wallace Award Preseason Watch List, it was announced in early January. Songco, the reigning WCC Freshman of the Year, 2008 preseason All-Conference selection and 2007 Freshman All-American, earned a spot the prestigious list that will eventually determine the Player of the Year. The left-hand hitting outfielder led LMU in doubles (22), RBI (33), slugging percentage (.528), sacrifice flies (7) and outfield assists (8) last season. In addition, he tied for the lead in triples (3) and was second in batting average (.321), runs scored (36), home runs (4), total bases (102) and walks (30). In WCC play alone, he led the team in batting average (.392), hits (29), doubles (10), slugging percentage (.635) and on-base percentage (.464). The Wallace Award is presented to the nation's top collegiate baseball player in conjunction with the College Baseball Hall of Fame's annual induction festivities. The 2008 award banquet will be held Thursday, July 3, in the United Spirit Arena on the campus of Texas Tech.

WCC PRESEASON POLL
LMU was picked to finish fourth in the WCC 2008 preseason baseball poll, as selected by conference coaches. University of San Diego was chosen to repeat as West Coast Conference champion after receiving the maximum number of points, garnering all seven possible first-place votes and 49 overall points to take first place in the listing. Pepperdine was picked second with 42 overall points, while Santa Clara received the remaining first place vote and checked in at No. 3 in the poll with 32 points. LMU edged out Gonzaga for the fourth place spot, as the Lions received 29 points and the Zags garnered 28 points to grab the No. 5 spot. San Francisco was tabbed for a sixth place finish with 24 points, while Portland and Saint Mary's were picked to finish seventh and eighth with 12 points and eight points, respectively.