Record, Strong Foes Win Lions an NCAA Playoff Berth

Its late-season slump notwithstanding, Loyola Marymount was never really in danger of being passed over by the NCAA for the 48-team baseball regionals, as evidenced by the Lions’ third seeding in the Midwest regional at Oklahoma State.

After leading most of the season, the Lions finished third in the West Coast Athletic Conference behind Pepperdine and Santa Clara but played the toughest schedule of the three and had the best overall record at 46-16. Those turned out to be the most heavily weighed criteria the NCAA used in its playoff selections.

By comparison, WCAC champion Pepperdine (34-22-1 overall) stayed in the West--being sent to Arizona State--but was seeded fifth out of six teams. Santa Clara, which won a school-record 42 games, was sent to Fresno State. The Broncos were likewise seeded fifth.

Lions Coach Dave Snow says the NCAA did a good job of spreading out the top-rated teams and making each regional competitive. Four Southern California teams were selected (Loyola, Pepperdine, USC and Cal State Fullerton) and were sent to different sites. Stanford and UC Berkeley were also sent to different regions. The only regional in which California teams are pitted is at Fresno, where USC and Santa Clara are in the field. The consensus top seven teams in national polls are playing in different regions.

“Pepperdine (seeding) I was a little bit surprised,” Snow said. “I was surprised Vegas (Nevada-Las Vegas) was seeded higher. But they don’t do it by conference champions; they do it by strength of schedule and overall record. Looking at the overall regional setup, I think they did a pretty good job of making them all very competitive.”

Snow said he had “no complaint” about being sent to Oklahoma. “It has the No. 1-ranked team playing at home. I see it as a real challenge. I’m looking forward to it. It’s a tremendous challenge and opportunity to represent the conference and West Coast baseball.

“The advantage is always going to go to the teams hosting it. Other than that I think they did a pretty darn good job of making sure the best teams get to the College World Series.”

Triple Double: Two months ago the West Coast Athletic Conference placed three basketball teams in postseason play for the first time. Now, three WCAC baseball teams are in NCAA tournament competition, another first for the conference. And they’re the same triumvirate of schools--Loyola Marymount, Pepperdine and Santa Clara. However, the finishes were reversed. In basketball, Loyola won the conference, followed by Santa Clara and Pepperdine.

Incidentally, Loyola players led the WCAC in four major individual categories: Scott Neill with three shutouts, Darryl Scott with 12 saves and Don Sparks with 21 doubles and 98 hits.

El Camino College is reinstating golf after a four-year layoff. Former Coach Al Greenleaf, who has been teaching at El Camino, will again coach. He is retiring from the teaching staff.

Greenleaf said El Camino’s program produced 17 conference champions before it was canceled in a budget tightening. “I know enough good golfers are out there,” he said.

Those interested in the program can call Greenleaf at El Camino, 532-3670.

College Notes

The El Camino College women’s track team finished second in the community college championships at Bakersfield, paced by its 400-meter relay state title team. The quartet of Adienna Thomas, Sherice Hutchinson, Tammi Allen and Cecilia Allen ran 45.64. Sherry Sperling captured the Warriors’ other individual title, winning the shot put at 46-9 . . . El Camino pitcher Jeff Beck won his 12th game during the baseball regional playoffs to set a school season record. The team also set a record for victories with 30 . . . Cal State L. A. junior Darryl Gilliams placed fourth in the NCAA Division II championships, running the 110-meter high hurdles in 13.94. The El Camino College graduate’s time was wind-aided but is ninth-best in Cal State history and helped the team place fifth nationally. He earned All-American honors . . . Cal State L. A. junior infielder Mica Lewis was named to the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. first team. Lewis led Cal State in hitting (.351), hits (68), runs (48) and triples (4). He was fourth in the CCAA in stolen bases (24). Lewis was named to the All-West Region second team . . . Slugger Ruben Jauregui and relief pitcher Chris Haslock represent Cal State Dominguez Hills on the All-West Region baseball team. Both received third-team honors.