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The 2008 Loyola seniors
Flyers fall short in 12-inning heartbreaker


(click to enlarge)

The 2008 Seniors:
(from left) Morgan Brian, Cameron Adams, Charlie Yokem, Fred Rossi, Michael Mitton, Austin Whitten.

In a game eerily similar to too many played already this season for the Loyola Flyers, University scored two runs in the top of the 12th to come up with a 7-5 win in 12 innings in a Class 2A second round playoff game at Cicero Field.

It's the third time this season the Flyers have played a game that lasted at least 11 innings and have lost all three. The Loyola season ends with a 21-16 record -- with eight of the losses coming by one run or in extra innings.

University came into the game as the No. 2 seed in the playoffs and the Flyers were the No. 18 seed. As is the case with any game like this, both teams had ample opportunity to win at various times. But there were many great plays just to get the game to the 12th.

For the Flyers, there was no bigger play that one of the most dramatic swings of the bat in school history. With the Flyers trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh and down to their last strike, Morgan Brian hit a two-run homer to right center -- the 10th of the season and 20th of his career -- to tie the game and set off a wild celebration.

Both teams scored an unearned run on an infield error in the ninth before Cubs scored two runs on no hits in the 12th. The go-ahead run scored on when the University batter beat out a potential double play that would have ended the inning.

The Flyers had the winning run on base in the final five innings and in scoring position in three of the five. University made two plays in extra innings --  a floater behind second base and a line drive shot directly at the right fielder -- that otherwise would have won the game for Loyola.

Meanwhile, Loyola sophomore pitchers Dillon Berry and Claude Lockhart had strong outings. Berry allowed only two unearned runs and Lockhart got off the hook with two strikeouts to end the eighth with runners in scoring position and strikeouts to end the 10th and 11th with the go-ahead run in scoring position.

 ► GAME RECAPS
 

Brian becomes first to reach Triple Triple Club

Basketball statisticians have a milestone called "triple doubles" -- double-digit totals in three categories --  but Loyola senior Morgan Brian has a club of his own -- the Triple Triple. He's become the first Flyer in school history to have 100 runs, 100 hits and 100 RBI in his career.

The Flyer senior is the school leader in home runs (19) and RBI (111) and now has 105 runs scored in his three-year career. The school record for runs scored is 116 by Taylor McGimsey. Brian is also on pace to set the career slugging percentage record.

Brian, Whitten reach home run milestones

Loyola seniors Morgan Brian and Austin Whitten are now at the top of the home run hitting charts.

Brian (left) has set the school record for career home runs and now 19 for his career.

Whitten (right) and Brian each have nine this season to become the single season leaders in Flyer history.

The old career record of 12 was set by McGimsey (1998-2000) and Brian tied and broke the record in the same day. He hit his 12th with a three-run blast against Evangel in the Diamond Classic. Later that night in the championship game, Brian hit his 13th with a grand slam to right-center.

CAREER BATTING RECORDS         SEASON BATTING RECORDS

Rossi signs with Spring Hill College

Senior catcher Fred Rossi has signed to play with Spring Hill College of Mobile, Ala., a member of NAIA Division I. The Badgers play in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.

Rossi, who has started since his sophomore year at Loyola, batted .371 with 32 RBI as a junior. He had 13 doubles last year, three off the school record. His 21 career doubles ranks No. 5 in school history.

Rossi is a two-time All-District selection and was second-team All-City in 2007.

Flanagan named Tennessee Pitcher of the Year

Former Flyer standout Robert Flanagan was named Tennessee's Division III Pitcher of the Year for the second straight year. The award is presented by the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association.

In 2007, Flanagan was 12-1 with a 2.49 with 100 strikeouts for the Lynx. In 2006, he was 10-3 with a 2.89 ERA. For the second consecutive year, he was named SCAC Pitcher of the Year and also named First Team All SCAC.

The Lynx finished the year 36-10 (14-2 SCAC), setting a school record for wins in a season.

Flanagan was a four-year starter for the Flyers (2001-04) and is the co-leader in career wins with 27 and 256 career strikeouts. He was a Class 2A All-State selection in 2004.

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