AZUSA, Calif. - One down, three to go! In a game many thought would be a pitchers' duel, the Point Loma baseball team scored three runs in the first inning and continued to add on throughout the game to win the series opener over No. 3 nationally ranked Azusa Pacific, 12-5. (May 7)
 
Travis Takata went 4-for-5 for PLNU with a double and a career-high five RBI to set the offensive tone for Point Loma. He got the scoring started in the first inning with a two-out, bases loaded clearing double to put PLNU up 3-0. Takata would also come through with run-scoring hits in fifth and sixth innings as Point Loma extended its lead to 9-1.
 
Garrett Irvin (7-1) delivered another stellar start for PLNU. The freshman went seven innings allowing six hits and just one run, while walking two and striking out seven. He lowered his PacWest-leading ERA to 1.63 with his performance. He has now allowed two runs or less in 12 of his 13 starts.
 
APU's starting pitcher, Isaiah Carranza, who entered the game 9-0 with a 3.49 ERA, lasted just 4.1 innings. He allowed six hits, seven runs (five earned) and four walks. He struck out six in taking his first loss of the season.
 
Freshman Adrian Collazo also had a huge game for the Sea Lions. The designated hitter went 2-for-3 with a sacrifice fly, a double, two RBI and two runs scored. Micah Pries, Colby Kaneshiro and Jarrett Lindsay tacked on two hits apiece, and Adam Rios hit his ninth home run of the season.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (32-14, 28-9 PacWest), Azusa Pacific (37-18, 27-8 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
Even with the victory, PLNU remains percentage points back of APU for first place in the PacWest standings. Point Loma is 28-9 in conference and have won .756 percent for their PacWest games. APU is 27-8 and have won .771 percent of its conference games. The PacWest title will be decided by whichever team wins two of the next three games.
 
News and Notes
> APU has now lost five of its last eight after opening the year at 34-3
> Point Loma is the No. 3 ranked team in the NCAA West Region poll and APU is ranked No. 2
> This was the first loss all season for Carranza, and the seven runs are the most scored off him
> PLNU benefitted from three hit batsman and three APU errors
> Point Loma is now 7-2 this season when it does not commit an error
 
Up Next
The teams will continue their series with a doubleheader on Tuesday before closing out the series with a single, nine-inning game on Wednesday. Play will begin both days at 1 p.m.