AZUSA, Calif. - The Point Loma baseball team played until the 27th out, unfortunately it dug itself too big of a hole early to climb out, as it fell 15-11, to Azusa Pacific in the winner-take-all game for the 2018 PacWest Championship.
 
The Cougars had their bats going early. They scored in each of the first three innings, including eight in the third, to build an 11-1 lead. PLNU would start to chip away with two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings, however each time Point Loma scored APU answered.
 
The Sea Lions would finally make a big dent in the lead when it put up six runs in the seventh inning. John Balliet, Colby Kaneshiro, Tyler Flores and Travis Takata each homered to slice the lead to 14-11.
 
After APU added one more to extend the lead to 15-11, PLNU tried to mount another rally in the ninth. They loaded the bases with two out but APU was able to get a pop out from Kyle Gracey to end the threat.
 
Tyler Flores hit his school-record 20th home run as part of the six-run rally. He is also just one RBI short of matching PLNU's single-season record. He finished the day 2-for-5 with a double, a home run, two RBI and two runs scored.
 
Micah Pries went 4-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and three runs scored. John Balliet was 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. Colby Kaneshiro also added a home run as the top four hitters in the lineup for PLNU all went deep and combined to go 10-for-18 with eight runs scored and seven RBI.
 
Three student-athletes had three or more RBI for APU. Pablo O'Connor led the offensive attack by going 3-for-4 with three RBI and four runs scored.
 
Tripp Aversa (3-0) earned the win in relief for Azusa Pacific. He went two innings allowing two hits and one run, while striking out one. Stephen Young (7-3) saw his personal seven-game winning streak snapped. He took the loss after being charged with six runs (five earned) in 2.1 innings of work.
 
Team Records
Point Loma (33-16, 29-11 PacWest), Azusa Pacific (39-9, 29-9 PacWest)
 
PacWest Implications
The win clinches the PacWest Championship and the league's automatic berth into the NCAA West Regional for Azusa Pacific. PLNU will await its postseason fate which will be announced on the NCAA.com Selection Show this Sunday, May 13 at 7 p.m.
 
Words from coach Schaefer
On the heart of the team and playing until the last out: "The way that thing started, and to still be in the game until the very last pitch, says a lot about who we are as a ball club. It just showed how much heart and fight this team has in them. They never gave up. I believe we are a team to be feared going into the postseason."
 
On Flores' home run record: "I am stoked for Flo getting that big home run. He has had an unbelievable season, and to do all that in 49 games is special. I coached some of the other guys that have hit the 18 or 19 home run mark, but those were when we were going deep in the playoffs. This is pretty special and speaks to the wonderful season Tyler has had.
 
On Pries: "He has to be one of the best players in the conference. He is one of the toughest out there are."
 
On the offense: "Between John, Micah, Flores, Rios and others I thought we responded offensively today after we were not good yesterday. The first innings today didn't look good, but they did an excellent job rebounding and making adjustments. We are capable of scoring against anyone. I am proud of those guys today."
 
On potential of the playoffs: "I think we are in excellent shape. On any other given year, if you go to APU and split it is not the end of the world. It is usually a pretty good weekend. The problem with this weekend is the conference championship was on the line and this hurts. It feels like a moral defeat but we went toe-to-toe with them and I believe we can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the region."
 
News and Notes
> The 33 wins this season for Point Loma are its most since joining the NCAA
> APU scored in 12 of the last 14 innings of the series
> Pries and Flores have combined for 31 home runs this season, the most of any teammates in the PacWest