This week
The Sea Lions will continue their eight-game homestand this Friday at Noon as they welcome in Academy of Art for a four-game series. The teams will also play a doubleheader on Saturday at Noon to wrap up the PacWest Conference series.
Probable pitching matchups (PLNU vs. ARTU)
Game 1:
Kellen Sheppard (6-2, 1.80 era) vs. Josh Lopez (3-2, 6.37 era)
Game 2:
Nathan Bennett (1-0, 0.99 era) vs. Cody Ball (2-3, 5.58 era)
Game 3:
Trevor Abshire (2-3, 3.80 era) vs. Alexander Kuisel (1-6, 5.43 era)
Game 4:
Kevin Lillicrop (5-1, 3.23 era) vs. Brett Bovee (2-4, 5.43 era)
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 will vary in price based on the venue. PLNU home games are $8.95 on a pay-per-view basis. To access both live stats and live video visit
plnusealions.com/gameday.
Tickets available now for the PacWest Big League Bash
Tickets for the baseball game at Angels Stadium on April 20 between Point Loma and California Baptist are on sale now for $24 apiece. The package will include access to the PLNU alumni tailgate party, field level seats for both games of the PacWest Big League Bash and a ticket a Los Angeles Angels vs. Seattle Mariners game (Sept. 12). To
order your tickets to the PacWest Big League Bash click here.
Fiesta Fridays return on April 15
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.
A look at the Sea Lions
The Point Loma baseball team is coming off its second straight series split. Last week it went 2-2 against defending PacWest Conference champions Dixie State to move its record to 20-12 on the season and to 9-9 in the PacWest. That mark has the Sea Lions tied for sixth in the PacWest standings.
Ryan Garcia has been an offensive force for Point Loma in the middle of the order. He is leading the PacWest with 44 RBI and ranks second with 11 home runs. He has hit three grand slams this season. Garcia is also second in the PacWest with a .667 slugging percentage and fifth in total bases (82). When Garcia launched a home run in the first inning of last week's opener, he became the first Sea Lion to hit double-digit home runs since 2011. His .374 batting average and .455 on-base percentage also lead the Sea Lions. Along with Garcia, eight Sea Lions are hitting over .300 this season. The top 5 spots in the order all boast a batting average of at least .306 and an on-base percentage of at least .389.
Kellen Sheppard leads the PLNU pitching staff with a 1.80 earned run average. He ranks second in the PacWest and 28th nationally. Sheppard is pacing the PacWest with just 0.82 walks allowed per nine innings. That mark also places him 12th nationally.
Nathan Bennett moved into the starting rotation last week and finally surrendered his first earned run of the year. His ERA now sits at 0.99 over 27.1 innings pitched. As a team Point Loma is leading the country with just 1.74 walks allowed per nine innings. The Sea Lions' collective team WHIP of 1.22 also has them leading the PacWest and ranked 11th in the country.
A look at the Urban Knights
The Urban Knights are 9-24 this season and are eighth in the PacWest standings with a 4-19 record in league. ARTU is coming off a four-game series against California Baptist in which the Lancers swept all four games and outscored the Urban Knights 46-6. Tyler Strawn is leading ARTU with a .320 batting average. On the mound, ARTU has a 6.09 team ERA and are allowing its opponents to hit .312.
Next week
PLNU open the week by playing in the PacWest Big League Bash against California Baptist on Wednesday, Apr. 20 at 7:05 p.m. The teams will continue their series with a single game on Friday at 6:00 p.m. and a doubleheader on Saturday starting at Noon.
