SAN DIEGO – The Sea Lions dropped both games of their doubleheader with Hawaii Hilo, giving the Vulcans the series win, 3-1. PLNU never found their rhythm at the plate and went 13 innings without plating a run.
Jerry Quemada and
Stirling Strong both put together solid outings, but several errors led to unearned runs that kept the Sea Lions at bay.
Game 1: Point Loma ran the score up early against the Vulcans, putting up four runs in the first two innings of action. With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the second inning, Hawaii Hilo went to their bullpen and were able to shut out the Sea Lions the rest of the way.
Starting on the mound for the Sea Lions was
Stirling Strong. He pitched three flawless innings before allowing three runs in the top of the fourth, none of which were earned. He was able to complete six innings on the mound allowing four runs.
Josh Richter would pitch one inning in relief, taking the loss after giving up a solo homerun in the top of the seventh.
Both
Justin Ledgerwood and
Colby Kaneshiro posted multi-hit performances in the first game, but the Sea Lions left nine runners on base. Along with not being able to find ways to bring baserunners home, Point Loma also had three errors two of which came in Hilo's three-run fourth inning.
Game 2: Quemada put together a great outing going six innings and giving up just two runs, only one earned. Despite his solid effort, PLNU struggled at the plate going the first six innings without scoring a run.
An errant throw in the top of the third allowed a runner to reach first after attempting a sacrifice bunt and set up the Vulcans with runners on second and third after a second sacrifice bunt in the inning. Quemada was able to get the second out, but a two-out double from the Vulcans' Romo scored two runs.
Point Loma had two outs in the bottom of the seventh when
Travis Takata drove in the Sea Lions only run of the game. A wild pitch set up runners on second and third, but they were unable to complete the comeback.
Team records
#22 Point Loma (28-17, 16-11 PacWest), Hawaii Hilo (25-16, 21-11 PacWest)
PacWest Implications
Azusa Pacific clinched the regular season title with a doubleheader sweep of FPU on Friday. Hilo will jump ahead of the Sea Lions in the conference standings due to winning percentage, but Point Loma will have a chance to regain second place if they are able to earn a win in their final regular season series.
Words from coach James
On his team struggling at the plate: "We struggled a lot. the adjustments just weren't there to put pressure on the other team. Once again, two days in row, we have to give credit to their pitching staff. Their starters did a good job and we could never really get into their bullpen. That's just college baseball, if you keep the good arms in the game and are not able to knock them out, this is what you get."
On Quemada's start: "He is still one of our starters, but he is pitching a different game. He did a great job for us. He kept us in the game and he made some big pitches when he had to. He kept them to two runs, there is not much more you can ask from him. With a chance to split a series I felt he handled the pressure pretty well and made big pitches when we needed it."
On the errors in the field: "I just saw bad baseball. Once again, it's the same thing of guys not making adjustments. When it isn't going how they want it to go, or how they thought it would go we have to get through those moments and make plays. That's what playoff teams do. We didn't do a very good job of that this weekend."
On focusing and preparing for the APU series: "We need to keep doing what we have been doing and play the game like we know how to play. We weren't ourselves this weekend, and when you aren't yourselves you have to figure out how get it done. We will get back to our basics, back to the fundamentals, and trust the process."
News and notes
> This was the Sea Lions' first series loss since the UC Colorado Springs series in February.
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Micah Pries went just 1-for-13 in the series.
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Michael Palos led the Sea Lions with five hits in the series.
> The Sea Lions went 13-straight innings without a score over the two games.
> This was the first time since February where Point Loma had more than two errors in a single game.
> Point Loma has hit a homerun in every series but one this season (UC Colorado Springs)
Next games
The Sea Lions are back in action on Tuesday, May 7, when they head to Azusa Pacific for the first two games of a four game series with the Cougars. The team will return to San Diego on May 8 to complete the four game series and will celebrate Senior Day.
