ATHLETICS | The LMU baseball team sits alone atop the West Coast Conference standings after winning another conference series this past weekend. The Lions started the week with a late rally to top Cal State Bakersfield at home, 8-3, before heading up to San Francisco for three games. The Lions started the weekend with a 2-1 win over the Dons, before suffering a one-run setback on Saturday, and winning Sunday’s rubber match, 6-5. At 9-3 in the WCC, LMU is a game up on BYU in the standings with San Diego coming to Page Stadium for the Alumni Weekend three-game set. The Lions also have a Tuesday midweek game set at San Diego State on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Conference action began this weekend for the LMU softball team as the Lions opened conference play with a shutout win over BYU on Friday, before ultimately dropping a pair on Saturday. WCC action continues at Smith Field for three games this weekend. San Diego visits the bluff for two on Saturday and a final 10 a.m. game on Sunday. Saturday’s game will be a Think Pink game for Breast Cancer Awareness.
The No. 13 Loyola Marymount beach volleyball team put up a fight against No. 1 UCLA Wednesday afternoon, but couldn’t keep up the pace, as the Bruins beat the Lions 4-1 at Sunset Canyon Recreation Center at UCLA. LMU then had a day of sweeps in Bakersfield on Saturday, as the team beat Cal State Bakersfield and Ottawa University Arizona 5-0. The team takes off for a weekend in the Aloha State for the Hawaii Invitational before returning home to host the WCC Championships at the Ocean Park Courts in Santa Monica on April 19-20.
Also ranked No. 13 in the country, the LMU women’s water polo team earned a split in their first two conference road games of the year. The Lions doubled up Santa Clara, 8-4, on Friday, but fell short against No. 7 Pacific on Saturday. GCC action continues from the road Saturday, as LMU faces Cal Baptist at noon.
Senior Ma’at Hembrick of the women’s rowing team and junior Cartier Juan of the men’s tennis team made this year’s 2019 Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholars Awards. Hembrick has been selected as the winner for the sport of women’s rowing. Rowing competed this past weekend in the San Diego Crew Classic, the final event before the WIRA Championships at the end of April.
The men’s tennis team returns home for their last two contests at LMU Tennis Center for the season. The Lions dropped their first two conference games of the season this weekend, including a tight match at Gonzaga that went 4-3. The Lions host BYU on Friday at noon, then will recognize seniors Lukas Moenter and Nick Borchenko in the match against San Diego Saturday at noon.
The women’s tennis team split home matches this past weekend, topping Portland 5-0 and going down to the wire before falling to Gonzaga. After a midweek trip to face Utah in Salt Lake City, the Lions will be at BYU on Friday afternoon then at San Diego on Saturday morning.
In conjunction with Preview Day and the LMU baseball and softball games on Sunday, April 14, the LMU Student Athlete Advisory Committee will be holding an Equipment Sale in Pride Park, in front of Page Stadium. Many of LMU’s 22 sports programs will have items available for sale, including polos/golf shirts, T-shirts, jerseys, footwear, pants, shorts and pullovers. Funds raised will help support SAAC and its initiatives through the year.
