PREVIEW: Loyola Marymount at San Diego

SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — The Loyola Marymount Lions visit the San Diego Toreros on Thursday, May 14, at USD Sports Center in the opener of a three-game West Coast Conference series. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Loyola Marymount (12-41) has struggled through a difficult season, losing 10 of its last 11 games. The Lions were swept at home last weekend by Saint Mary’s, falling 6-3 on Sunday after dropping the first two games of the series by scores of 8-6 and 17-4.

San Diego (17-29) has also endured its share of adversity but enters on a more competitive note. The Toreros split a four-game series at Pacific last weekend, capped by an 11-11 tie Sunday. San Diego won 18-6 on Friday before losing 18-6 on Saturday and 4-6 in the series opener.

Players to Watch

Loyola Marymount right-hander Alec Johnson has been a bright spot in the bullpen. In his last six appearances, Johnson posted a 3.00 ERA over 16 innings, striking out 16. He threw six scoreless innings in a win against UC Riverside on April 21, allowing three hits with seven strikeouts. In his most recent outing against Saint Mary’s, he worked 1 2/3 hitless innings with one strikeout.

San Diego catcher Jayden Lobliner has provided offensive punch. On Sunday at Pacific, Lobliner went 3 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs. Over his last six games, he has hit .273 with a 1.045 OPS, including a two-run blast. He also drove in a run in each of the Toreros’ wins against Saint Mary’s on April 26 and Portland on May 1.

Series Outlook

The teams will continue the series with games Friday and Saturday, both at USD Sports Center. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 2-0 San Diego victory Thursday.

Loyola Marymount has lost 10 of its last 11, while San Diego has dropped six of its last nine. The Toreros are looking to build momentum at home, while the Lions seek to snap their skid behind Johnson’s steady relief work.