SAN DIEGO – No. 9 Point Loma split their opening day doubleheader with No. 18 Vanguard (NAIA), losing the first 4-2 and winning the second 2-1 on a Brett O'Toole walk-off single.

Game One
The Sea Lions struck first in the bottom of the third inning. The first two batters of the third inning were retired, but the Sea Lions continued to battle in the box. Baxter Halligan doubled to left field, following that up was Jack Malone with a double to center field scoring Halligan for the first run of the 2021 Sea Lion season.

Vanguard responded in the top of the fourth scoring two after Omar Ortiz homered to left field. PLNU once again did not back down. Michael Pinero led the inning off with a single bringing up Scott Anderson to sacrifice bunt and move Pinero into scoring position. Waterman then singled advancing Pinero to third. Izayah Alvarez then called upon to safety squeeze the runner in and executed it to perfection tying the game 2-2.

The back and forth kept going as the Lions put up a single run in the fifth to reclaim the lead 3-2. They went on to put up one more run in the sixth to take a two-run lead 4-2. Point Loma threatened in the sixth getting two runners on but could not bring them in to score.

Vanguard allowed just one hit in innings 7-9 not allowing PLNU to comeback. PLNU fell in their opening game 4-2.

Game Two
Looking to bounce back from the opening game loss, PLNU did just that, grinding out a 2-1 walk-off victory.

Nathan Garkow was mowing down the Lions retiring the first 16 batters of the game in order. In the sixth inning after striking out the first batter of the inning for his eighth strikeout of the game the Vanguard left fielder, Chad Sutton dug in. Garkow was able to get ahead 0-2 before Sutton battled back and making the count full. On the seventh pitch of the at-bat, Sutton turned on a fastball and sent it over the left-field wall giving the Lions a 1-0 lead.

Point Loma would save their best for last. In the bottom of the seventh Izayah Alvarez led off with a drag bunt single. Otto Kemp followed that up with a single up the middle of the field. With runners on first and second and Baxter Halligan at the plate, the Sea Lions looked to keep the streak of singles going. Halligan unfortunately grounded into a fielder's choice that saw Kemp forced out at second base. Malone then struck out and Point Loma was down to their possible final hitter.

James Halpin extended the inning with a walk loading the bases for Brett O'Toole. O'Toole got ahead in the count 3-1 before fouling off a pitch and making the count full. With confidence, O'Toole smashed the next pitch up the middle for the game-winning hit bringing in two runs. O'Toole's walk-off single sent the Sea Lions home with a 2-1 victory.

Words from Coach James, Nathan Garkow, and Brett O'Toole


Team Records
No. 9 Point Loma (1-1, 0-0 PacWest), No. 18 Vanguard (17-3, 7-1 GSAC)

News and Notes
> The Sea Lions have walked-off in three of their last six games dating back to the 2020 season.
> This was Brett O'Toole's first start and game as a catcher.
> PLNU has walked off at least one game in two of their last three season-opening series.
> Izayah Alvarez extended his hitting streak to 13 games, dating back to the 2020 season.

Up Next
The two teams will conclude their series with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 6. The first pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.