RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Garrett Irvin and John Balliet combined on a 2-0 shutout of the No. 20 team in the country, California Baptist, to give the Point Loma baseball team a win in the series opener.
 
Irvin pitched into the ninth inning. He allowed six hits and one walk while striking out four in 8.1 innings to improve to 4-0 on the season. He got into a little trouble in the ninth after two runners reached base with one out, but Balliet came into and got out of jam unblemished for his third save of the season.
 
Balliet was also the offensive spark for the Sea Lions. He put the first and eventual game-winning run on the board with a solo home run in the third inning. He would also set up PLNU's second run as he doubled with two outs in the fifth inning to move Jarrett Lindsay to third base. Lindsay would score just moments later on a passed ball to extend the Sea Lions' lead to 2-0.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (15-11, 11-6 PacWest), California Baptist (15-8, 8-5 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
The win moved PLNU percentage points ahead of CBU for third place in the PacWest standings. PLNU now trails just Biola (8-4 PacWest) and Azusa Pacific (14-2 PacWest)
 
Schaefer speaks
On Irvin's start: "He was outstanding today. He had a no-fear mentality and he pitched a great game. He was constantly ahead in the count, got early contact and was able to go deep into the game. You need your No. 1 starter to do that. I can't express enough how impressive it was to have a young pitcher go on the road in a tough environment and show no fear."
 
On Balliet's game: "He did an awesome job offensively by getting us on the board early with his home run. He had good at-bats all game. Getting those two outs with runners on base was nails as well. He was very aggressive and had a great day."
 
On the Sea Lions' offense: "I think we did a great job offensively. They have a really good pitching staff and their No. 1 starter has really quality stuff. We did a good job staying with the approach, being disciplined and doing what we knew could work."
 
News and Notes
> This season Balliet has allowed just one run and three hits in 8.2 innings pitched while striking out 13
> PLNU has taken the last three games from CBU dating back to last season
> Lindsay and Balliet each had two of Point Loma's five hits
> Irvin lowered his earned run average to 1.49

Up Next
The Sea Lions will continue their four-game series at California Baptist on Mar. 23. The teams will play single, nine-inning game on Friday starting at 6 p.m., before closing out the series with a doubleheader on Saturday, Mar. 24 starting at Noon.