Outfield Despite its youth, and anchored by the return of Angelo Songco, the LMU outfield looks to be strong offensively and defensively in 2008. With Songco penciled-in to start daily either in center or right, the competition is heating up for the final two spots in the outfield. Along with A.J. LaMonda, a host of freshmen, including Joe Vierra, Michael Lowe, Andrew Irvine and Evan Simonitsch could find innings in each of the outfield positions. Songco, a member of the 2008 Brooks Wallace Award Preseason Watch List and a preseason All-Conference selection, earned 2007 WCC Freshman of the Year and Freshman All-American honors after a stellar campaign last season. The left-handed hitting outfielder led LMU in doubles (22), RBI (33), slugging percentage (.528), sacrifice flies (7) and outfield assists (8) last year. In addition, he tied for the lead in triples (3) and was second in batting average (.321), runs scored (36), home runs (4), total bases (102) and walks (30). In WCC play alone, he led the team in batting average (.392), hits (29), doubles (10), slugging percentage (.635) and on-base percentage (.464). Although he too is just an underclassman, Songco will be looked upon to provide leadership in the outfield.
SEASON PREVIEW
Likely seeing time as the starter in left field or at the designated hitter position will be fifth-year senior and 2007 Baseball America preseason first-team AllWCC pick, A.J. LaMonda. LaMonda missed virtually the entire 2007 campaign due to a broken wrist, but not before recording three hits in nine at bats in three games played. One of the top defensive players in the conference, LaMonda will be expected to help pull weight offensively as well in 2008. As a senior last year at Quartz Hill High School in Quartz Hill, Calif., Joe Vierra was voted All-League and All-CIF after batting .467 with six home runs, 12 doubles, 12 stolen bases, 40 runs scored and 33 RBI. In addition, the 6’3” right-handed hitter garnered Team MVP, Player of the Year and City and CIF All-Star recognition after his senior campaign. Michael Lowe, who could also see time on the mound for the Lions in 2008, was a three-time All-League selection for Jesuit Prep High School in Portland, Ore. In addition, he garnered All-State honors after his junior year and led the Metro League in stolen bases as a junior and senior. Andrew Irvine earned three varsity letters in his high school career at Great Oak and Temecula Valley High Schools in Temecula, Calif. Irvine was named All-League, All-Conference, All-City and All-Area as a junior and senior and was awarded an All-CIF bid as a junior. The 6’2” right-handed hitter batted .330 with four home runs as a senior and .524 with five home runs as a junior. Evan Simonitsch was a twotime team captain and was selected All-League after his sophomore, junior and senior seasons at Saint Francis High School in Glendale, Calif. Simonitsch garnered All-Area recognition after his junior and senior campaigns, while earning an All-CIF bid as a junior. He finished his senior year batting .426 with 22 runs scored, 27 RBI, six doubles, two triples, one home run and 11 stolen bases. According to Cruz, “Our goal for this season is to go out and play to the best of our potential. We are hoping to be offensive and play good defense, and we need our pitching to really step-up and provide quality innings. One of our strengths this season will be the depth and experience in the field, especially at the infield positions. If the new players can come in and gel well with the returnees, and both groups can produce offensively, we feel that we can be very competitive in this conference.”
LaMONDA LMU Baseball
2007-08 Media Guide