SAN DIEGO – Point Loma split their opening PacWest doubleheader versus Concordia. After dropping the first game, the Sea Lions responded with an Otto Kemp walk-off home run in the seventh inning to win game two of the doubleheader 1-0.
 
Game 1: Concordia got out to an early lead scoring three runs in the third inning and one run in the fourth. After giving up one run in the fourth that is all the Eagles would get, not scoring the rest of the game.

PLNU started to chip away at the lead in the sixth. Otto Kemp led off the inning on a seven-pitch walk. The next two hitters were retired, bringing up Justin Ledgerwood. Ledgerwood smashed a ball to left-center, bringing home Kemp for the first Sea Lion run, cutting into the Concordia lead, 4-1. Jason Dumont then singled but was hit just hard enough where Ledgerwood could not come around to score. Izayah Alvarez then flew out to end the inning.
 
The Point Loma offense would threaten again in the eighth. Three batters reached via base on balls, bringing up Alvarez in a big spot. Izayah battled in a six-pitch at-bat before striking out to end the inning.
 
Headed to the bottom of the ninth Point Loma looked for a late rally to either send it to extra innings or walk-off. The inning started with Michael Pineiro getting hit by a pitch and then an Easton Waterman single. After a strikeout, Halligan singled to load the bases.

Brett O'Toole stepped to the plate looking to be the hero for the second time this year. On the first pitch, O'Toole hit a hard grounder to the shortstop to push a run across, but the Eagles traded an out for a run. Justin Ledgerwood also grounded out, which ultimately ended the game.
 
Game 2: Point Loma did not dwell on the loss as they responded with a hard-fought 1-0 victory. Otto Kemp played hero for the Sea Lions this game as he hit a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the seventh.

Most of the game was dominated by the pitching staff on each team. For the Sea Lions, Nathan Garkow picked up right where he left off in his last start. Garkow pitched 5.1 innings striking out eight and not allowing a run to score.
 
Concordia's starting pitcher, Carpenter Pagett was equally impressive throwing 4 innings of scoreless baseball with six strikeouts.
With a scoreless ballgame headed into the seventh, the Sea Lions were searching for just one run. Otto Kemp wasted no time as he scorched a ball over the left-centerfield fence to send the Sea Lions home victorious.
 
Baxter Halligan (1-1) would relieve Garkow in the sixth inning and preserved the shutout for the Sea Lions.

Words from Otto Kemp

 
Team Records
Point Loma (2-4, 1-1 PacWest), Concordia (1-1, 1-1 PacWest)
 
News and Notes
> This is the second game in a row that Garkow has had eight strikeouts
> Izayah Alvarez's 15-game hitting streak was snapped during the first game of the doubleheader today.
> Dating back to last year, this is Garkow's third consecutive start allowing one or fewer runs.
> The Point Loma pitching staff struck out 20 batters over 19 innings pitched
 
Up Next
Point Loma will take next to the road as they will finish their four-game series at Concordia tomorrow, March 19. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.