Lions Win Big Over Huskers, 15-9 and 10-7

Taking a tip from Coach Paul Westhead’s NCAA basketball power, the Loyola Marymount University baseball team showed some its own run and gun philosophy in dispatching Nebraska twice in the past two days, winning 15-9 and 10-7 Wednesday at Loyola.

On the heels of Lions’ pitcher Mike Jones’ fourth win in five outings in the first game, carried over from Tuesday’s suspended game prior to the regularly scheduled contest, Loyola wasted little time in showing the Cornhuskers how to run the bases in game two. The Lions, 31-7, combined a pair of singles by Rick Allen and Miah Bradbury, a walk to Brian Turang, a double steal and back-to-back doubles by Bobby DeJardin and Robert Cannon for four runs in the second inning.

Westhead would have been proud of the aggressiveness displayed by Coach Dave Snow’s team. “I guess we are somewhat similar to our basketball team,� he said.

Loyola Marymount received a gritty six innings from freshman pitcher Mike McNary, who battled out of several jams to collect his fifth win in six decisions. Last year’s CIF 4-A pitcher of the year from Lakewood High School allowed only a high-chop single to shortstop through the first five innings before surrendering three runs on three hits in the sixth.

Nebraska, ranked as high as seventh in the national polls, behind No. 4 Loyola this week, closed the gap to 5-4 in the sixth before the Lions posted four runs in the bottom half of the inning. Loyola took advantage of four walks, a two-run single by Travis Tarchione and a fielding error by Cornhusker first baseman Jeff Taylor to open the lead to 9-4.

Darryl Scott came on to get the save--his ninth of the season--for McNary and help the Lions win for the 12th consecutive time.

“Only McNary’s control kept him from going the distance. That was the best fastball he’s had all year,� Snow said.

Nebraska, 20-6, may have been a little tired this week, having just completed a 10-day, 10-game Hawaiian Tournament championship. The Cornhuskers committed 6 errors and put l3 Lions on base via free passes. Loyola out-hit Nebraska, 9-6.

Tarchione led the Lions with two runs batted in. Three of the Lions’ nine hits were doubles, by DeJardin, Cannon and Don Sparks. In keeping with the basketball tie-in, two-sport player Enoch Simmons had a single in the fourth inning, his first collegiate hit.

Leadoff man Ken Ramos had two singles and a double and was on base five times for Nebraska.

Loyola is averaging more than nine runs per game and its pitching staff has a team earned run average of 4.22.