This week
The four-game series between Azusa Pacific and Point Loma will begin this Friday, March 19. The first pitch for Friday's doubleheader at Azusa Pacific is scheduled to start at noon. Saturday's doubleheader, which will be played at Point Loma, is scheduled for first pitch at noon as well.

Follow along
Due to recent changes in state guidelines, a limited number of spectators will be allowed to attend outdoor sporting events at PLNU beginning April 1. Our hope is as state guidelines change and the county moves into improved COVID-19 tiers, we'll be able to allow more access and open attendance to a broader audience.

Health & safety protocols are still in place which means there are a very limited number of tickets for each game so availability is not guaranteed.

You will be able to follow along and watch Friday's doubleheader at athletics.apu.edu/watch

You will also be able to follow along and watch Saturday's doubleheader on Point Loma's new and improved live stream at portal.stretchinternet.com/plnu/

A look at the Sea Lions
This weekend will mark the first games for PacWest rivals Point Loma and Azusa Pacific since May 2019. Point Loma won their last two games against the Cougars in 2019 and are 5-3 in their last eight against APU.

Baxter Halligan continues to be an offensive force batting.410 with five doubles, one home run, and eight runs batted in. Scott Anderson has been on an offensive surge as of late going 9-for-17 (.529) over his last five games, including two multi-RBI games. Brett O'Toole continues to produce in big situation recording two walk-off hits so far this season and leads the team in RBI's with nine. 

Nathan Garkow continues to dominate on the mound. Through three starts Garkow has allowed just one earned run over 18.1 innings pitched while striking out 26 and walking a single batter. Andrew Amato, Zach Veen, and Cole Hiller continue to give the Sea Lions solid performances out of the bullpen. The three have combined for 12.2 innings pitched and a 1.42 ERA.   

A look at the No. 8 Azusa Pacific Cougars
The Cougars come into the weekend ranked No. 8 in the latest NCBWA poll, dropping one spot from the previous week. APU currently holds a 14-3 overall record and a 7-1 PacWest record.

The PLNU pitching staff will look to minimize the Azusa Pacific power. APU currently paces the PacWest in batting average (.334), home runs (34), runs batted in (147) and slugging percentage (.563). Joseph Kim and Osvaldo Tovalin lead the charge batting .441 and .412 respectively. The two have combined for 12 home runs and 46 runs batted in.

A.J. Woodall leads the starting rotation with a 3-0 record and compiling a 1.07 ERA. David Wylie and Korey Shepard continue to be reliable relievers out of the bullpen. Wylie has appeared in seven games recording a 1.80 ERA. Shepard has appeared in five games striking out six and not allowing a run.

Other Sea Lion Notes
> Brett O'Toole currently leads PLNU with six multi-hit games.  
> Baxter Halligan will carry a 12-game on-base streak into the weekend series.
> Point Loma is 5-0 in their last five games against the Cougars at Carroll B. Land Stadium.

Up next
Following the series, the Sea Lions will travel to Concordia for a doubleheader on Friday, April 9. Game one of the doubleheader is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. in Irvine, Calif.