Wildcats Win Series with LMU Lions

Game Two of the weekend series between the Loyola Marymount Lions and the Arizona Wildcats played out much like game one. Good Arizona starting pitching and offense to back it up. On the mound for Arizona was Freshman Kyle Simon who improved to 3-5 on the year. He threw six strong innings and had a career high six strikeouts. Simon gave up three runs all in the first three innings and then set down the remaining nine batters in order before giving way to the bullpen. Head Coach Andy Lopez spoke after the game saying that at the beginning of the season Simon was expected to be red-shirted and developed for next season. But with the pitching struggles the Wildcats have endured Lopez was forced to make Simon his Saturday starter.
Offensively it was a team effort with Arizona pouring in 9 runs on 11 hits and 2 walks. Bryce Ortega lead the way with two RBI's on one hit and Dillon Baird with one RBI on 2 doubles. Arizona did most of its damage with LMU pitcher Alex Gillingham on the mound who through five innings gave up seven runs, five earned, on seven hits before being pulled in favor of Jordan McClintick who did not fair much better. In two and two-thirds innings gave up two runs on four hits. John Lally retired the only batter he faced.
The first of the two arms brought in from the Arizona bullpen was Cory Burns who was effective in his one inning only giving up two hits and one earned run while striking out one. Jason Stoffel was then brought in to close out the Lions and seal the victory for the Wildcats. He was less than impressive giving up four hits and allowing one inherited runner to score to while giving up an earned run of his own. Given the pre-season outlook on Stoffel to this point he has been much less effective than expected. A pre-season All-American Stoffel has a 5.36 ERA in 33 appearances and only 8 saves. Some argue that he is over used but in this journalists opinion he is out of shape and needs to work on his mechanics.
Overall it was a much needed win for the Wildcats and they will continue the series with game three on Monday May 11th at 6 pm at Kindall Field at Sancet Stadium.