COLLEGES: MILONE LEADS USC TO VICTORY.

Byline: Daily News

Sophomore Tommy Milone (Saugus High) went six innings and allowed two runs on six hits with six strikeouts Tuesday as USC defeated Loyola Marymount 5-2 at George Page Stadium.

Senior Paul Koss picked up his third save of the season and 23rd of his career to move into third place on USC's all-time list. Koss needs three saves to tie Brian Nichols (1985-88) for second place.

USC improved to 3-2. Loyola Marymount is 3-1.

Center fielder Nick Buss went 3 for 5 with an RBI, and designated hitter J.J. Owen had twohits and an RBI for the Trojans.

USC took a 3-0 lead in the second inning as Owen led off with a walk and moved to second on an infield single by catcher Robert Stock (Agoura High). Third baseman Hector Estrella hit an RBI single, and after a passed ball, Stock scored on a wild pitch and Buss delivered a perfect two-out bunt down the third-base line to score the third run.

Pepperdine 7, Long Beach State 7: Pepperdine took a 7-0 lead after four innings, but Long Beach State rallied to tie the score, and then the game was called due to darkness before the Waves could bat in the bottom of the ninth.

Sophomore Eric Thames had a three-run double that capped a five-run fourth inning for Pepperdine (1-2-1).

The 49ers (2-1-1) tied the game on a three-run home run by Danny Espinosa in the eighth inning.