This week
The Point Loma baseball team will travel to Azusa Pacific to face its longtime rivals in a four-game PacWest Conference series. The teams will open with a doubleheader on Friday, Apr. 1 at 3:00 p.m., and conclude their series on Saturday with another doubleheader starting at Noon.
 
Follow along
If you are unable to attend this week's games they will all be available for fans to follow on live stats and live video. Live stats will be free of charge while video stream at Azusa Pacific will be $7.95. To access both live stats and live video visit plnusealions.com/gameday.
 
Fiesta Fridays return on April 8
For the second consecutive year, Point Loma will be holding a Fiesta Friday celebration at all its Friday games. This season the Sea Lions have teamed up with Miguel's Cocina to provide chips, salsa and their famous white sauce at every Fiesta Friday. We look forward to seeing everyone there.
 
Baseball hosts Military Day on April 9
PLNU Athletics will also be hosting its first Military Day during baseball on Saturday, Apr. 9. The Sea Lions will be honoring all former and active military members, and their admission to the game is free.  Members of the Wounded Warriors Project will be on hand to throw out the first pitch and participate in other in-game recognition. If you are a veteran or active military member and are interested in participating email Emily Jurenka at ejurenka@pointloma.edu for more information.
 
A look at the Sea Lions
The Point Loma baseball team is in the middle of its PacWest season. After posting a record of 11-3 in non-conference play, which included an 11-game winning streak, the Sea Lions have started 5-5 in league play. Point Loma is now 16-8 on the season and is tied for sixth in the PacWest standings.
 
Ryan Garcia has been a force in the middle of the order all season for PLNU. He is leading the PacWest and ranks 19th in the country with runs batted in per game (1.38). He is also pacing the league in total RBI (33), and ranks third in home runs (seven) and ninth in slugging percentage (.598). Devin Carter is second in the PacWest with 1.00 runs scored per game. The senior outfielder is also ranked sixth in batting (.382) and slugging percentage (.629). Matt Jervis is leading NCAA Division II with .41 sacrifice bunts per game. He is one of the toughest guys in the PacWest to strikeouts with just four whiffs in 63 at-bats.
 
Kellen Sheppard has paced a PLNU pitching staff that is one of the best in the country. He is leadings the PacWest in WHIP (0.93) and walk-to-strikeout ratio (6.00), and is second in ERA (1.32). Sheppard, along with his rotation mates of Eric Pierce, Kevin Lillicrop and Trevor Abshire, and an outstanding bullpen, has allowed PLNU to lead NCAA Division II in walks allowed per nine innings (1.78), while ranking eighth in ERA (2.73) and WHIP (1.17). PLNU is also sixth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.63) and fourth in shutouts (five). To see more PacWest stats and leaders click here. 
 
A look at the Cougars  
Azusa Pacific is 15-14 on the season and third in the PacWest standings at 11-5. The Cougars have won five straight games, including sweeping Holy Names in their last series. APU is 8-8 at home this season. Adrian Tovalin is leading the PacWest and ranked 12th nationally with 10 home runs. He is also third in RBI in the conference with 27. Joe Huthsing is pacing the pitching staff with a 2.93 ERA.
 
Next week
The Sea Lions will return action next Friday and Saturday (Apr. 8-9) when it hosts second-place Dixie State in a four-game series. Both doubleheaders will start at Noon.