Third-Seeded Loyola Feeling Like NCAA Regional’s Underdog

Loyola Marymount Coach Frank Cruz said he wasn’t as surprised about his team being seeded No. 3 in this week’s NCAA regional at Cal State Fullerton as others might have been.

Cruz just writes it off as “a lack of knowledge or respect for Loyola baseball.”

But the team that will face Cal State Fullerton at 7 tonight in the first round has helped make the Fullerton regional one of the nation’s strongest. Loyola (39-17), Fullerton (36-19) and top-seeded USC (38-18) are ranked in the top 20 nationally.

The Lions, making their third consecutive NCAA regional appearance, have won 12 of their last 14 games. Loyola ranks ninth in the nation in batting and 10th in scoring.

“We’re still trying to make a name for ourselves, and maybe this tournament will help us do that,” Loyola first baseman Kris Zacuto said. “I’m glad we’re in a regional with so many good teams.”

The No. 4-seeded team is Virginia Tech (34-23-2), which will meet USC in today’s opening game at 3 p.m.

The Fullerton-Loyola game is expected to match two of the nation’s top pitchers, the Titans’ Adam Johnson (7-3) and the Lions’ Billy Traber (9-4).

Johnson was Big West Conference pitcher of the year and Traber took the honor in the West Coast Conference. Johnson, a junior right-hander, has a 2.53 earned-run average and 153 strikeouts in 110 1/3 innings this season. Traber, a junior left-hander, has a 3.14 ERA and 143 strikeouts in 114 2/3 innings. The Lions’ other top pitchers are Ben Bonilla (9-0) and Michael Schultz (9-5).

Fullerton Coach George Horton said the Titans’ lineup will emphasize right-handed batters if Traber starts, but Horton plans to keep left-handed-hitting Aaron Rifkin at first base.

“Rifkin has been swinging the bat well against left-handers,” Horton said. “We’ve got a little more power with our lineup against left-handers and a little more speed with the lineup against right-handers.”

Jake Epstein, a right-handed batter who leads the Titans in home runs with nine and runs batted in with 46, is expected to be the designated hitter.

Fullerton’s home-run production has fallen off recently. The Titans have hit only 11 homers in their last 28 games and only one in their last eight. Loyola has 80 homers to 43 for the Titans. Four Loyola players have 10 or more homers with Scott Walter leading the way with 19.

USC Coach Mike Gillespie said he plans to start Rik Currier, the Pacific 10 pitcher of the year, against Virginia Tech. Currier, who pitched for Capistrano Valley High, is 12-3 with a 3.26 ERA and has won seven of his last eight starts. Virginia Tech is scheduled to start Jason Bush (9-5).

“Pitching is the strength of our team,” Gillespie said. “They give us a chance to be competitive, and we’ve typically played good defense behind them.”

Pitching also remains Fullerton’s strength.

Junior left-hander Jon Smith (9-2) was held out last weekend against Long Beach State for added rest but is expected to be ready for the regional. Smith was bothered by tightness in his shoulder.

Right-hander Matt Sorensen (5-0), who hasn’t pitched since April 21 because of a strained elbow, also is expected back.

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NCAA Baseball

Division I Regional

At Titan Field

Cal State Fullerton

Today

Game 1: Virginia Tech (34-23-2) vs. USC (38-18), 3 p.m.

Game 2: Loyola Marymount (39-17) vs. Cal State Fullerton (36-19), 7 p.m.

Saturday

Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 1:30 p.m.

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 4:30 p.m.

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 1 p.m.

Game 7: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, if necessary, 45 minutes after conclusion of Game 6