Pepperdine Knocks Off Top-Ranked Loyola, 2-1

Rick Hirtensteiner’s double to right-center field in the ninth inning drove in Mike DiReda with the winning run as Pepperdine scored a 2-1 West Coast Athletic Conference victory over top-ranked Loyola Marymount at Pepperdine.

Loyola, which was rated No. 1 in the nation Monday by Collegiate Baseball magazine and ESPN, had scored 88 runs in its previous five games. Pepperdine starter Tony Lewis limited the Lions to five hits. Pepperdine (27-16-2 overall and 15-4 in the conference), pulled within a half-game of first-place Loyola (37-8, 14-2).