Loyola Will Try to Break Logjam at Top

Loyola Marymount will try to break away from a scramble atop the West Coast Conference baseball standings when Nevada Reno comes to town for three games starting today.

The Lions, leading by a half-game over Pepperdine and 1 1/2 over Santa Clara, face Reno at 2 p.m. today, then play an 11 a.m. double-header Saturday. All games will be in Loyola’s Page Stadium.

The Lions, 21-9 overall, are 10-4 in WCC play. Reno (11-12 and 3-6) is in fifth place. The teams had a three-game series wiped out by snow in Reno in late February.

With a successful weekend, the Lions may be able to build a cushion in the conference. Pepperdine and Santa Clara will be playing a three-game series at Santa Clara.

Loyola tops the conference in hitting with a team average of .334. The Lions also have the top fielding percentage. The Wolf Pack is last in the WCC in pitching with an earned-run average of 6.13.

Loyola outfielder Rick Mediavilla leads the WCC in batting at .402, while Tony Kounas is battling for the lead in runs batted in (37) and home runs (8). Tim Williams is also in the RBI race with 35.

Reno has one of the conference’s top pitchers in Rod Nettnin (3-1).