After beginning West Coast Conference action with a record of 10-2, Loyola Marymount baseball is off to its best league start in 15 seasons.

The Lions won each of four WCC three-game series to start the conference season, and enter interdivision play atop the Coast Division. Their 10-2 start is their best since 1989, when Coach Chris Smith's squad went 39-24-1 and 18-5 in WCC play en route to an NCAA tournament appearance in the West Regional.

Since then, LMU baseball has gone on to win four WCC championships, including three consecutive titles (1998-2000).

The 2004 squad has collected five conference player/pitcher of the week and one pitcher of the month selection in senior Will Quaglieri, who earned the conference's first monthly honor after dominating opposing batters in four appearances during February. The Reno, Nev., native posted a 0.95 earned run average and held opposing lineups to a .217 batting average on the month.

Sophomore Stephen Kahn has been equally as impressive on the mound, picking up two WCC/Rawlings Pitcher of the Week selections. Kahn threw a complete game shutout on April 3, leading LMU to its 2-0 win over WCC opponent Saint Mary's, boosting his record to 4-1.

Junior Joe Frazee and sophomore James Cooper have led LMU offensively during WCC play. Frazee is hitting .404 (19-for-47) with 10 RBI, 12 runs scored, and three doubles, and has hit safely in 11 of 12 conference games. Rightfielder Cooper is batting .385 in the WCC.

The Lions have also received a boost again this season from their all-conference seniors. Catcher Jonathan Higashi hit .380 (27-for-71) during March, adding 17 RBI, 15 runs scored, four doubles, and two homeruns to lead LMU to the best overall record in the WCC. And with his 240th career hit recorded during the series against Saint Mary's, fellow senior Billy Lockin became the eighth all-time leading hits leader in LMU baseball history.

After collecting a series win against each Coast Division opponent, including two over defending WCC champion San Diego, the Lions begin interdivision series play this weekend at Portland.