College Baseball World Series : Loyola Trails When Storm Delays Game

Some thunder and lightning was expected when hard-hitting Loyola Marymount faced high-scoring Oklahoma State here in a College World Series elimination game Wednesday, but this was ridiculous.

In the bottom of the third inning a rapidly moving thunder storm sped through, causing a 76-minute delay and drenching the field at Rosenblatt Stadium.

In the bottom of the fourth, the rain resumed and finally forced suspension of the game. Wednesday’s second game between Miami and Louisiana State was postponed as well.

Both games will be completed today, pushing the series back one day. Loyola and Oklahoma State will resume playing at 2:10 p.m. (PDT).

Between rain delays, the teams provided some thunder of their own. Oklahoma State holds a 7-4 lead and will be batting with one out in the fourth when play resumes.

Loyola took a quick lead on Chris Donnels’ three-run homer in the top of the first and added another run in the fourth.

After the rain delay, Loyola pitcher Tim Layana was ineffective and the Cowboys erupted for sixs hits and all seven runs. Cleanup hitter Jim Ifland will be at bat with a runner on first.

College World Series Notes

Loyola starter Tim Layana was drafted by the New York Yankees earlier this week. The senior right-hander was taken on the third round but was the Yanks’ second pick. . . . Loyola senior outfielder Billy Bean was chosen by the Detroit Tigers on the fourth round. . . . Only two Lions entered Wednesday’s game batting higher than their season average--third baseman Chris Donnels was batting .500 and second baseman Bobby DeJardin was at .333. The Lions averaged .322 during the season but hit only .191 in the first two games here. . . . Shortstop Carl Fraticelli and DeJardin ranked 1-2 in assists after two games with 12 and 10.