SAN DIEGO - The Point Loma baseball team began their final homestand of 2016 with a doubleheader sweep of Fresno Pacific. The Sea Lions won the opener 6-1 behind Kellen Sheppard's bat and arm, before making a five-run first inning hold up for a 5-4 victory in the nightcap.
 
The wins were the 29th and 30th of the season for the Sea Lions (30-16, 19-13 PacWest). This marks the fourth time in eight seasons with Joe Schaefer at the helm that the Sea Lions have won at least 30 games, including each of the past two years. It also guarantees PLNU fourth place in the final PacWest Conference standings. The losses dropped FPU to 20-27 on the season and into seventh place in the PacWest standings (15-18).
 
Game 1
Kellen Sheppard did a little bit of everything to help the Sea Lions win the opener 6-1. Sheppard gave himself and the Sea Lions an early lead with a two-run homer in the first inning, as PLNU build a six-run lead through two innings. That would be more than enough for the junior right-handed pitcher. Sheppard did not allow a hit until the fifth inning, and gave up just four in the game. He recorded his second complete game of the year as he went all nine innings only the one run and one walk while striking out six on 124 pitches. 
 
"That was a big swing by Sheppard," said Point Loma head coach Joe Schaefer. "There are not many guys that can leave the ball to left field, let alone by going the other way. It was a big swing at a big time, and it allowed us to grab that early lead and ride it the rest of the game.
 
"The only reason we were able to ride that lead is because Kellen was so good out there on the mound," Schaefer continued. "He did an exception job and kept his pitch count down which allowed us to keep him out there all game."
                                                                   
Devin Carter also drove in a pair of runs as he finished 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Ryan Garcia went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base. Colby Kaneshiro also had a pair of singles. All six of the Sea Lions' runs scored with two outs.
 
"There is always the threat of an extra base hit in the middle of our order," said Schaefer. "It is nice when you can get a two-out extra base hit because that is how things get started. It is nice being able to compete offensively with two outs and it is a momentum killer for the other team. We try to pride ourselves on those two-out hits."  
 
Hunter Villanueva provided all the offense for FPU with a solo home run in the fifth to break-up the no-hitter and the shutout all on one swing. Jake Martinez (5-7) took the loss for Sunbirds after being charged with 10 hits, two walks and all six runs while striking out just one. He settled down after giving up three runs in both the first and second innings to pitch the complete game.
 
Game 2
The Sea Lions answered FPU's three-run top of the first with a five-spot in the bottom of the inning, and then got great pitching from Nathan Bennett and three members of the bullpen to win the nightcap 5-4.
 
After the Sunbirds jumped on PLNU early for their first lead of the series, the Sea Lions took no time at all to answer back. AJ Derr drew a leadoff walk on four pitches and then two batters later Ryan Garcia crushed his 13th home run of the season to cut the deficit to one (3-2) but the Sea Lions were not done there. Devin Carter drew a walk on a nine-pitch at-bat to get the second rally of the inning going. After another walk and a hit by pitch the bases were loaded for Joseph Keller with two outs. The senior outfielder stayed patient and let two balls hit the dirt for wild pitches to bring in two runs, and then he capped off the scoring by tripling to center field to put Point Loma up 5-3.
 
"It is always a goal of ours to be the first team on the board, and at home that requires a 'zero' in the top of the first, and that doesn't always happen. It was nice that we rebounded right away and didn't get down on ourselves. We competed, found ways on base and then capitalized on some wild pitches and some knocks."
 
Bennett settled down after a shaky first inning. He went six innings allowing seven hits and four runs while walking one and striking out four. He is now 4-1 on the season. Bennett was pulled after 106 pitches. Coach Schaefer then went to his bullpen where Patrick McMullen, Coleman Huntley III and John Shurance each delivered a scoreless inning of relief. Shurance picked up his fourth save of the season with a perfect ninth inning.
 
"Patrick was very sharp, and both Coleman and John did an excellent job (out of the pen)," Schaefer explained. "In a one-run game you have to put 'zeroes' on the board and all three came in and did a wonderful job."
 
Colby Kaneshiro and Joseph Keller had two hits apiece for Point Loma, which was outhit 8-7 in the contest. Hunter Villanueva had three of the Sunbirds eight hits.
 
Davy Vartanian (2-3) took the loss for FPU after he was unable to get out of the first inning. He was charged with two hits, three walks and all five runs.
 
Next games
The Sea Lions and Sunbirds will close out their series with another doubleheader on Tuesday, May 10 starting at Noon. It will also be Senior Day presented by Miguel's Cocina. The nine PLNU seniors will be honored with a ceremony between games.