AZUSA, Calif.-Big blasts in clutch situations swung the tide in favor of the Point Loma Sea Lions (13-1 overall, 3-1 PacWest), who clinched a series victory with 5-3 and 6-5 wins over the Azusa Pacific Cougars (6-10 overall, 1-3 PacWest) Saturday afternoon at the Cougar Baseball Complex.

The four-game series was as closely contested as possible with five total runs deciding the series that played out in two counties over two days.

After pitching ruled the double-header in San Diego, outsiders may have expected the offenses to open up at hitter friendly Azusa.

While each offense did play its part, it was in the timing rather than the frequency.

The first game picked up where the series left off in San Diego. Both teams had to fight for runs early as Azusa Pacific starter Steven Silvas and Point Loma starter Jack Gonzales traded scoreless frames over the first two innings.

But Azusa grabbed the first lead for the second consecutive game thanks to a home run, this time from Cade Marshmann.

Azusa added another run in the fifth when Aaron Roose scored on a wild pitch.

Point Loma would respond in the 7^th.

Izayah Alvarez singled to start the inning before pinch-hitter Hunter Otjen drew a walk. Both runners advanced to second and third when Jakob Christian was hit by a pitch. Alvarez scored on Jason DuMont's sacrifice fly to right. Otto Kemp tied the game with a sacrifice fly of his own pulling the score to 2-2.

Point Loma was right back at it offensively in the 8^th as Baxter Halligan doubled to start the inning. One out later, Jack Malone walked.

After a fielder's choice put APU one out from escaping the threat, Otjen launched a 3-2 pitch deep over the left center field wall, over 400 feet to jolt the Sea Lions to a 5-2 lead.

Cayden Rana entered out of the bullpen in the seventh and kept APU quiet for 1.2 innings before Zach Veen recorded the final out of the 8^th.

Aaron Roose added a solo homer for APU in the ninth, but Cole Hillier locked down his 3^rd save of the season, securing the 5-3 win for Point Loma and assuring at least a split in the series.

Azusa grabbed yet another early lead at the start of game two, striking for two runs in the bottom of the second.

Point Loma got one of those back in the third on Easton Waterman's two-out single up the middle that plated Scott Anderson.

But Azusa looked intent on the series split with a three-run fourth inning, knocking PLNU starter Nathan Garkow out of the game.

Otjen came in on relief and quieted the APU bats from the fifth inning on.

That was enough time for the Point Loma offense to find its timing.

It was Otjen who started it in the seventh with a single into center. Alvarez and Christian each added singles before a wild pitch brought PLNU within 3.

DuMont grounded out in the next at-bat, plating Alvarez.

Two pitches later, Kemp deposited a ball into the houses in left field, tying the game.

Otjen recorded an out in the 8^th before Rana returned from his game one outing, getting the final two outs of the inning.

Point Loma then took advantage of an opening from the Cougars. With one out in the top of the ninth, Kemp reached on a throwing error. After Anderson and Halligan were plunked on consecutive pitches, Waterman lifted a fly ball to right field, scoring Kemp on the sacrifice fly and giving Point Loma the lead.

That was enough for Cole Hillier to lockdown another save, the second of the day and his fourth on the season.

Point Loma found a way for the third straight game to hold off the Cougars despite early deficits in each of their three wins. In fact, the team that scored first in each of the four games lost throughout the series despite runs being at a premium between the two high-octane offenses.

After the grueling series, Point Loma will return to action on Saturday, March 5^th when they host Concordia for a double-header at Carroll B. Land Stadium. The series will begin at 11:00am. Like the series with APU, PLNU will then travel to Irvine to conclude the four-game set with a double-header at Concordia on Monday, March 7^th.