COLLEGE BASEBALL : Pepperdine Beats Loyola for Title

Pepperdine defeated Loyola Marymount, 3-1, in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday at Loyola to clinch the West Coast Conference title and an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament.

Defending conference champion Loyola, which routed the Waves, 18-8, in Friday’s series opener, won the second game, 10-6.

The Lions (38-22 overall, 25-11 in league play) finished a half game behind Pepperdine (41-15-1, 25-10).

The Waves played one fewer league game than Loyola, but under conference rules, it does not have to be played.