OAKLAND, Calif.-Starting Pitchers set the tone as the Point Loma Sea Lions (28-4 overall, 10-4 PacWest) split a series-opening doubleheader 5-3 and 4-0 with the Academy of Art Urban Knights (10-27 overall, 4-18 PacWest) Friday afternoon at Laney College.
The #3 Sea Lions saw a rare slow start hamper a late comeback attempt in game 1 before responding with their ninth shutout of the season behind
Dylan Miller and Zach Veen.Â
The Urban Knight grabbed an early lead behind two singles and a sacrifice bunt that set up a two-run single in the 2
nd inning.
The Academy of Art added a 3-run homer in the bottom of the fourth to balloon their lead to 5-0.
It took until the 6
th inning for the Sea Lions to respond as
Otto Kemp jumped on the first pitch of the inning, blasting a solo home run over the fence in left-center field.
Point Loma made it a bit closer in the top of the ninth, as
Hunter Otjen's two-run homer cut the deficit to 5-3.
But the Academy of Art sealed the win behind a complete-game performance from their starter Collin Carriger.
Point Loma did not wait around long in game two to take their first lead of the series as Otjen's one-out double in the 2
nd inning was cashed in by
Jake Entrekin's single to put the Sea Lions in front 1-0.
The Sea Lions added to the advantage in the 3
rd inning by manufacturing three runs.
Izayah Alvarez led the inning off with a double before a pair of hit batters loaded the bases.
Baxter Halligan then forced home a run after drawing a walk while
Jakob Christian and Otjen produced runs on groundouts, swelling the Point Loma lead to 4-0.
Dylan Miller held the Academy of Art's noisy offense quiet over six scoreless innings while striking out 7 hitters. Miller scattered six hits while not allowing a free-pass and exited with the four-run lead.
Zach Veen entered in the 7
th and completed the shutout, punching out 4 batters along the way.
The Sea Lions' 9 shutouts rank 1st in the NCAA DII in the category.Â
Point Loma will complete the series with the Academy of Art on Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 pm at Laney College. Game 1 is scheduled for 9 innings and game 2 will complete the series with a 7-inning ballgame.
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