The NAIA No. 10-ranked Sea Lions were swept by fifth-ranked California Baptist, 14-4, 8-2 in the regular-season ending twinbill at Totman Stadium Friday. Point Loma stumbled down the stretch by losing five-straight, but get its slate wiped clean when the postseason begins on May 10.
Friday's two losses dropped PLNU (33-16-1, 22-14 GSAC) down two slots in the Golden State Athletic Conference standings, from second to fourth. The Sea Lions could still finish second, however, depending on the outcome of a pair of doubleheaders on Saturday: second-place Vanguard hosts Concordia and third-place Fresno Pacific will be at San Diego Christian.
Nothing went right for PLNU on Friday. The defense committed eight total errors, the offense failed to come through in the clutch and the pitching staff was roughed up for 22 runs on 30 hits.
CBU was propelled to the game one victory by a seven-run fourth inning. Point Loma's
Robby Ross surrendered 10 runs (six earned) in a 3.1 inning start.
KC Kartch gave up an addition four runs (two earned) in four frames.
Davis Koenig tossed two-thirds of a scoreless inning to close things out.
Jesse Arreola earned the win for CBU, improving to 6-0 after seven solid frames on the hill.
The Sea Lions had 12 hits, but stranded 11 runners.
Allen Boyer,
Tyler Kuehl and
Rashad Taylor had two hits apiece and
JJ Reading hit his first collegiate homer. Garrett Rau had four hits and collected five RBI for California Baptist.
The Lancers (41-12, 30-6 GSAC) scored two runs in the third inning of the nightcap and added five more in the fourth to take a commanding 7-0 advantage before PLNU pushed their two runs across in the fifth.
Kenny Houser (2-4) started for the Sea Lions, allowing six runs (three earned). He only lasted 3.1 frames as did PLNU's game-one starter.
Josh Dexheimer threw the final 2.2 innings.
Drew Madrigal upped his season mark to 10-2 with a six-inning stint for CBU. Madrigal surrendered two runs on four hits.
California Baptist will play host to the GSAC Tournament starting on May 10. CBU, Vanguard, Point Loma and Fresno Pacific are in, while The Master's, Biola and Concordia are vying for the other two spots. Seedings and schedule will be released later.