SportsScope : Loyola Nine Tries to Bounce Back in 6-Game Home Stand

The Loyola Marymount University baseball team opens a six-game home stand Friday, facing Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in a 2:30 p.m. single game and a noon double-header Saturday, then playing an exhibition against Keio University of Japan at 1 p.m. Sunday. The Lions also play host to New Mexico State at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday before opening West Coast Athletic Conference play next weekend. The Lions began the week at 13-4 and are coming off their first losing week, having gone 1-3 and seen their team batting average drop from above .300 to .277. Nonetheless, senior right-hander Tim Layana is 5-1 and sophomore Chris Donnels is batting .360.

Tammy Booker of St. Mary’s Academy in Inglewood was named most valuable player on the girls All-Camino Real League basketball team. She’s joined on the first team by teammates Romi Fontno and Michelle Turner, Tiffany Carresi of Mary Star, Debby Freesmeier of St. Anthony and Felicia Dixon of St. Bernard. The second team has Laura Papadakis of Mary Star, Peggy Gaethke of St. Anthony, Shana Alexander of St. Bernard, Tracy Martin of St. Monica and Monette Miller and Raedon Turner of St. Mary’s.

The California State Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships will be held today and Friday at Cal State Dominguez Hills. The open competition, from 3 to 9 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, will include the defending U. S. champion, Marina Kunavsky, and several national team members plus 9-year-old national champion Bianca Sapetto. There will be an exhibition by a 50-member team from Japan at 8 p.m. Friday. Rhythmic gymnastics became an Olympic sport in 1984.