SAN DIEGO - The unthinkable and unexpected happened this weekend as No. 4 regionally ranked California Baptist came into Carroll B. Land Stadium and took all four games from the No. 3 Sea Lions. CBU completed the sweep with a 3-2 win in the opener and a 5-0 victory in the nightcap on Saturday, Apr. 25.
The Sea Lions have now lost seven of their last eight games after running off a school-record 17 wins. PLNU is now 31-14 on the season and third in the PacWest standings at 17-11. CBU is now 29-17 on the season and in sole possession of second place in the PacWest with a 21-7 mark in conference.
Game 1Kellen Sheppard pitched well but once again the Sea Lions' defense let him down as just one run that scored against him was earned. He went 6.1 innings allowing seven hits and two runs (one earned) while walking three and striking out two. Of the last nine runs the Sea Lions have allowed, seven have been unearned.
For one of the first times this season the PLNU bullpen did not come through. After Point Loma tied the game in the eighth without a benefit of a hit as
Preston Sands drew a walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch and took third on a swing third strike. He came home to tie the game at 2-2 on a wild pitch. PLNU then turned to their closer in a tie game but today
Coleman Huntley III did not have it. He allowed a leadoff walk followed by a single and another walk to load the bases. Aaron Crowley then blooped a hit into centerfield to bring in the go-ahead run.
Crowley then moved to the mound in the bottom of the ninth with one out and the heart of the PLNU order coming up. He allowed a single to
Ryan Garcia but then set down the next two batters to pick up his second save in as many games. Crowley and AJ David also paced the Lancers with two singles apiece.
Tyson Miller (6-2) earned the victory after going 8.1 innings. He allowed just four hits and two walks while striking out seven. Huntley (2-2) took the loss for PLNU after surrendering the run in the top of the ninth.
Game 2Jeremy McDonald pitched a complete game, two-hit shutout to help CBU win the series finale 5-0. He struck out eight and walked just one in his seven innings of work to improve to 5-2 on the season.
CBU got most of their offense from the long ball as John Taurinsky and Antonio Chavarria both hit solo shots in the third and fourth innings, respectively, and Alec Marabito added a solo homer of his own in the seventh. Chavarria finished the game 4-for-4 as he went 8-for-12 in the series.
PLNU's only threat of the game came in the third with two out when Torres singled and
Tyler Baker walked to put two runners on with two out, but the Lancers were able to get
Devin Carter to end the threat.
Trevor Abshire took the loss after allowing two runs (both on home runs) and six hits in 4.1 innings.
Next gamesPLNU will close out its regular season at Dixie State on May 1-2.
