SAN DIEGO – The Sea Lions stormed out of the dugout and mobbed Tyler Flores after he singled in Kyle Gracey from third base with one out in the 11th inning to break a scoreless tie and give Point Loma the 1-0 win over Academy of Art in the series opener.
 
There were not many chances on the day and the Sea Lions made sure to capitalize on mistakes by ART U in the bottom of the 11th to score the only run of the game. After Colby Kaneshiro reached on a throwing error with one out, Micah Pries lined a single into right-center and pinch runner Kyle Gracey looked like he was going to be nailed at third base on the throw, but the third baseman dropped the ball, putting runners at first and third with one out. The Urban Knight then decided to pitch to the PacWest RBI-leader Tyler Flores, after walking him in a similar situation in the ninth, and he made them pay. He lined a 0-1 pitch into right field to plate the game-winning run from third base before being swarmed by his teammates in the Sea Lions' first walkoff win of the season.
 
Garrett Irvin pitched great to keep ART U off the board. He went nine innings allowing just two hits and a walk, while striking out 13. John Balliet (1-0) earned the win out of the bullpen. He threw the last two innings, giving up one hit and one walk while striking out four. Academy of Art's starter, Alex Fernandez, matched Irvin pitch for pitch as he posted 8.1 shutout innings, with four hits, one walk and six strikeouts. The only run of the game was unearned but the Chris Rost (2-1) was still saddled with the loss.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (24-14, 20-9 PacWest), Academy of Art (18-16, 13-12 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
The victory moves PLNU a half-game up in the PacWest standings. Point Loma is in second place, 3.5 back of first-place Azusa Pacific (29-3, 19-3 PacWest), and 3.5 games up on third-place California Baptist (21-13, 14-10 PacWest). Even with the loss, ART U remains in fifth in the standings.
 
Schaefer speaks
On Irvin's start: "It was an outstanding outing. He was coming off his last start when he had a decent line but wasn't sharp. This was an incredible bounce-back game for him. For him to be able to match their guy pitch for pitch for nine innings was incredible. I am very proud of him and that is exactly what you need out of your game 1 guy."
 
On ART U's starter, Alex Fernandez: "He did an awesome job. He worked fast, mixed arm angles and threw breaking balls for strikes. He was constantly ahead in the zone, kept us off balance and didn't give us free bases. He is a good arm and I was impressed by him."
 
On importance of playing a close game like this: "We want to be a playoff team, we believe we are a playoff team and this was a playoff atmosphere. You have to be able to win a tight game against a good pitcher. For us to figure out how to win a game where you have to manufacture the run, and against a good pitcher, is a big deal for us. I am hoping we can build on this and continue to do it in the future."
 
On the 11th inning: "We'd been looking for the big hit all game. They chose to throw to Flo instead of walking him and he came through for us."
 
News and Notes
> The walkoff, RBI-single brought Flores' season total to 52 and places him in a tie for 10th in the Sea Lion record books
> Garrett Irvin lowered his season ERA from 1.60 to 1.41 with his nine scoreless innings
> This was the fifth extra inning game of the season for both PLNU (2-3) and ART U (2-3)
> Point Loma has now won seven straight games
> Both Academy of Art errors came on Colby Kaneshiro grounders
> Point Loma pitchers lead the PacWest with five shutouts and opponents are hitting just .237 against the Sea Lions
 
Up Next
The series will continue with a single game on Friday starting at 3 p.m. The teams will close out their series with a doubleheader on Saturday, Apr. 14. First pitch is slated for Noon and it will also be PLNU Alumni Day at the ballpark.