Box Score LOS ANGELES – Washington State dropped the series-finale 7-3 to Loyola Marymount University at Page Stadium Monday afternoon. The Cougars split the four-game series with the Lions, winning the Friday and Sunday contests.
 
LMU (4-4) used three first-inning runs and built a 5-0 lead with two more in the second inning before the Cougars (3-4) pushed three across in the third but couldn't get any closer. Sophomore catcher Cory Meyer and junior first baseman James Rudkin each collected two hits while Rudkin and junior outfielder Derek Chapman each drove in a run.
 
The Cougars threatened in the opening frame as Dillon Plew drew a leadoff walk, Justin Harrer later walked and Meyer followed with a bloop single down the right field line to load the bases with one out. LMU kept WSU off the board by getting a strikeout and a flyout to end the inning.
 
Loyola Marymount pushed three runs across in their half of the first, using an RBI-triple down the right field line, a run-scoring wild pitch and a two-out RBI-single for a 3-0 lead. The Lions added two more in the second inning with a two-run double just inside the third base bag and down the left field line. Harrer made a nice throw from left field to get the runner at third base on the play. The inning ended with Meyer throwing an LMU baserunner trying to steal third.
 
Harrer opened the third inning with a line drive single to centerfield and one batter later, Jon Burghardt pulled a pitch down the right field line for a double to set up second and third with one out. Rudkin stepped in and jumped on the first pitch he saw for a line drive single into left field that scored Harrer. Andres Alvarez then worked a walk and Chapman followed with a bases-loaded RBI-single into right field. Another Cougar run scored on Chapman's hit after LMU threw the ball away during a rundown to make it a 5-3 game.
 
The Lions got a run back in the third inning, using a pair of singles before a runner scampered home on a wild pitch for a 6-3 advantage. The WSU bullpen poste scoreless fourth and fifth innings before a couple wild pitches led to another LMU run in the sixth inning to push the lead to 7-3.
 
Wallum took the loss after allowing four runs in an inning-plus of work.
 
Washington State returns to Pullman to open its home slate with an eight-game homestand beginning Friday at 4 p.m. against Stephen F. Austin.