SportsScope : Loyola Hopes to Put Shine Back Into Diamond Play in Santa Clara Series

Loyola Marymount’s baseball team, trying to bounce back from a three-game sweep by Pepperdine last weekend, faces Santa Clara in a three-game series Friday and Saturday.

The Lions, 16-7 after defeating Pacific on Monday, play a 2:30 p.m. game Friday and a noon double-header Saturday against Santa Clara in West Coast Athletic Conference action. The Lions also play a nonleague game against Cal State Dominguez Hills at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Loyola.

The Lions continue to hit the ball, averaging .323 as a team, but the pitching staff earned run average stood at 4.70 after Pepperdine won three straight. The top pitcher has been Darryl Scott, 4-1 with a 3.47 ERA and a save. Kalani Bush is 3-0 but his ERA is 5.40.

Catcher Jim McAnany is the top hitter at .380 with 19 runs batted in. Utility player Don Sparks is next at .372, followed by infielders Carl Fraticelli at .369 and Bobby DeJardin at .356. All-American third baseman Chris Donnels remains the top power man at .338 with 7 home runs and 26 RBIs. Outfielder Fred Tuttle is hitting .268.