SAN DIEGO – It was a low scoring day between the Sea Lions and the Vulcans, combining for just two runs through the first 15 innings of play. Hawaii Hilo got a complete game shutout from their game one starter to earn the first win before Point Loma answered with late game heroics to take game two.
Michael Palos put together four hits on the day to lead the Sea Lion offense with two multi-hit games.
Game 1: It was a rough first game for PLNU at the plate where they managed just three hits and four total base runners. Palos went 2-for-3 providing the only bright spot at the plate, but it was not just the Sea Lions who struggled to earn runs.
Hawaii Hilo managed only one run on an RBI single in the fifth inning, while putting together eight hits on the day. The Vulcans did leave nine runners stranded.
Zack Noll threw just five innings in the start, allowing the only run, and was handed his second loss of the season.
Josh Richter and
Nicholas Cornelius each pitched two innings in relief holding the Vulcans scoreless, but UHH needed just the one run to secure the win.
Game 2: The second game looked to be going the same way as the first after the Vulcans were able to plate an early run in the top; of the third. The Sea Lions remained scoreless on the day for six additional innings before putting together a four-run inning in the seventh.
Nathan Garkow moved up in the rotation and took the ball for game two and pitched a solid seven innings allowing just two hits and one run.
Travis Takata drove in the first run of the inning on an RBI double, bringing in
Nico Anderson. Takata was able to score on a sacrifice fly from
Micah Pries, giving Point Loma their first lead of the day. With
Colby Kaneshiro on first,
Justin Ledgerwood launched a bomb to left field to open up the three-run lead.
The Vulcans responded with two runs of their own in the top of the eighth, but once again Point Loma was able to respond in the bottom of the inning. Three straight singles allowed the Sea Lions to push one run across. PLNU would then score on an errant throw from the pitcher and a sacrifice fly to push their lead to four.
Steven Elliott came into the game in the eighth and pitched two solid innings. While he allowed two runs in the eighth, he was able to earn the save and shut down the Vulcans in the top of the ninth.
Team records
#22 Point Loma (28-15, 16-9 PacWest), Hawaii Hilo (23-16, 19-11 PacWest)
PacWest Implications
With a loss in the opener it is unlikely the Sea Lions will be able to contend for a conference title. Hawaii Hilo remains in third, just two losses behind Point Loma.
Words from coach James
On his team struggling offensively in game one: "Hitting is very hard. First, you have to give credit to the opposition's arm, for throwing enough strikes and living on the edges enough and competing his tail off. I thought he was outstanding. From our end, I don't think we separated out pitches very well. We let the momentum swing more than it should have, and when you have a good pitcher on the mound on top of that, it is a recipe for disaster."
On Garkow starting in a new role: "He got moved up a day and he has earned that right. The whole year his mentality has been what we need it to be in order to be one of our top arms. He possesses everything we want in someone who is a part of our staff."
On getting their offense going in the seventh inning of game two: "The first six innings we had to give credit, once again, to the opposing arm. He was doing a great job, pumping strikes in the zone and keeping us off balance. Similar to game one, we needed to do a better job of separating our pitches. Once we did have an opportunity with runners on, we were able to execute and put pressure on them. That pressure makes it harder to deliver pitches on the other side, and we got a couple of big swings there in the seventh."
On being prepared for two more tough games tomorrow: "Double-doubles are hard. Hilo is a good team, regardless of the score they are known as a team who won't give up. We know they are going to come out tomorrow fighting and we will have a tough test on our hands. That is true against any opponent, though. We have to do our best job to take care of game one and hopefully, if possible, take a series."
News and notes
> After going 4-of-7 at the plate on the day, Palos is now the second leading hitter for the Sea Lions hitting .320 for the season.
> After winning in his first 10 starts, Point Loma has dropped the last two games in which Noll starts.
> Garkow leads the team with a 2.45 ERA.
> Ledgerwood connected for his eighth homerun of the season, second on the team behind Pries' 17.
> The top four batters for the Sea Lions went 0-for-15 in the first game.
> Six Sea Lions have 20 or more RBIs on the season.
Next games
Point Loma will be back in action tomorrow when they face Hawaii Hilo to finish the four game series with the Vulcans. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.
