Pepperdine Routs Loyola, Nears Title

Pepperdine’s baseball team backed the eight-hit pitching of Doug Simons with a 20-hit attack, including 3 home runs, and routed Loyola Marymount, 11-4, Friday at Loyola in the opening game of a series that probably will produce the West Coast Athletic Conference champion.

Pepperdine improved its WCAC record to 18-2-1 and its overall mark to 33-20-1 while taking a 2 1/2-game lead over Loyola (16-5, 44-15) with 3 games left.

The Waves took the suspense out of the game early, building an 8-0 lead after three innings. Third baseman Chris Sloniger led the way with two home runs and a run-scoring single. Second baseman Matt Howard hit a 2-run homer.

Simons, a senior left-hander, improved his record to 9-2. Lion catcher Miah Bradbury gave him the most trouble with a 2-run homer and two singles.

The series continues today with a noon doubleheader at Loyola.