BASEBALL

USIU lost at third-ranked Pepperdine, 4-1, despite Jeff Maranga’s nine strikeouts. Darren Forster went two for two and scored USIU’s only run. USIU dropped to 13-36, Pepperdine improved to 35-8-1.

Six San Diego State pitchers struck out 16 batters, but the Aztecs had two runners thrown out at the plate in a 3-2 loss to visiting UC Riverside in a nonconference game. Darin McGhee had a double and a run-scoring triple for SDSU (32-13). UCR improved to 27-20-1.

Point Loma Nazarene swapped one-run victories with The Master’s in a nonconference doubleheader in Newhall. The Crusaders won the opener, 7-6, as Galen Ishi was three for four and pitcher Dion Dice improved to 4-5. The Master’s (22-18) took the eight-inning nightcap, 12-11, after Dan O’Sullivan tied it in the bottom of the seventh, 11-11, with a grand slam. Rich Miller was four for five with five RBIs. He hit his 10th and 11th homers for PLNC (18-28) in the extra-inning loss.

UCSD fell to host Cal Baptist, 8-6. Brent Hansen (5-6) suffered the loss for the Tritons, who fell to 13-21. Cal Baptist is 26-16 in the NAIA.

USD earned a nonconference victory at UC Irvine, 4-1, behind Pat Crema (4-1), who pitched his first complete game. The Toreros (20-29-2) scored two runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Jim Keen keyed the winning rally in the seventh, doubling home Dan McAdoo and later stealing home. UCI fell to 21-29.

TENNIS

San Diego State moved into today’s Western Athletic Conference men’s tournament finals with a 5-1 victory over UTEP. Ricardo Herrera, Joe McDonough, Michael Sass, Chris Numbers and Dax Peterson were winners in singles. Kerrie Safdie suffered the only loss. The Aztecs will play the University of New Mexico for the title.

UCSD edged PLNC in its final match of the regular season, 5-4, at UCSD. Chris Belloli and Chad Morse defeated Sean Willette and John Norton, 6-3, 6-3, to clinch the match at No. 1 doubles. Morse beat Hans Hoegstedt, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, at No. 1 singles. PLNC got singles victories from Willette and Matties Rendefors. UCSD (8-10) got victories out of John Cross, Brian Beattie and Chris Emery.

Point Loma Nazarene’s women defeated visiting Laverne, 8-1. No. 1 Monica Clancy defeated Ema Kaiwi, 6-1, 6-1 and No. 3 Sue Woodling beat Cindy Falliday, 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, to lead PLNC (11-10).

SOFTBALL

USD swept visiting Occidental 13-3 and 10-1 in a nonconfernce game. June Andrews went six for seven, and Melissa Reinard had two triples in the two games for USD (32-12).

HIGH SCHOOLS

Brett Castillo of San Pasqual High is one of 10 finalist for the CIF/Reebok boys’ scholar-athlete of the year. Castillo is the only wrestler among the finalists. The winner will be announced later this month.