(SAN DIEGO) No. 5 PLNU Baseball utilized the long ball in game one and small ball in game two of Friday's doubleheader with Hawai'i Pacific, completing a sweep of the Sharks by scores of 7-3 and 4-2.
 
Point Loma hit three home runs in the first inning of game one, as Eric Smelko led off the inning with a solo shot.
 
After Esai Santos drew a walk, Scott Anderson homered to straightaway center before Bryson Hashimoto followed that up with a no-doubter to left, giving Point Loma a 4-0 lead after one.
 

Eric Smelko leads it off for @PLNUBaseball with a solo homer against HPU. pic.twitter.com/EZD6bvtUqj

— PLNU Sea Lions (@PLNUSeaLions) March 22, 2024

 
HPU hit a homer of its own in the top of the second to get one back but Jake Entrekin's solo homer in the bottom of the third put PLNU back up by three.
 

Scott Anderson's 2-run home run adds to the lead for @PLNUBaseball. pic.twitter.com/Vh5M5MI1kW

— PLNU Sea Lions (@PLNUSeaLions) March 22, 2024

Smelko then hit two RBI-doubles, one in the fourth and another in the sixth, to round out the Sea Lions' scoring.
 

3 HR in the first inning 🤯

Bryson Hashimoto hits the third homer for @PLNUBaseball in the first inning as the Sea Lions lead 4-0. pic.twitter.com/mhoV6nAxL6

— PLNU Sea Lions (@PLNUSeaLions) March 22, 2024

 
Austyn Coleman earned the win on the mound, pitching 6.1 innings and striking out seven while allowing just two runs.
 

Jake Entrekin hits the 4th homer of the day for @PLNUBaseball.

Point Loma leads HPU, 5-1. pic.twitter.com/joYXPts2Cm

— PLNU Sea Lions (@PLNUSeaLions) March 22, 2024

 
Then in game two, Jack Malone recorded an RBI on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the second to give the Sea Lions an early lead, but HPU took advantage of a PLNU error to go ahead 2-1 in the fifth.
 

Bryson Hashimoto ties it up for @PLNUBaseball with a double to center in the bottom of the 6th. pic.twitter.com/bPqrEIXI5L

— PLNU Sea Lions (@PLNUSeaLions) March 22, 2024

 
Hashimoto then tied it up in the sixth with a double over the centerfielder's head, before Hunter Otjen restored Point Loma's lead with a sacrifice bunt.
 

Hunter Otjen puts @PLNUBaseball back in front with a sacrifice bunt. pic.twitter.com/N0U2BDlP3z

— PLNU Sea Lions (@PLNUSeaLions) March 22, 2024

 
Malone lined out to right to advance Entrekin to third, setting up J.J. Gerarden to add another run via a sacrifice bunt.
 
James Sashin then closed it out with a scoreless ninth for his 11th save of the season.
 
Otjen was awarded the win after pitching 1.1 innings out of the bullpen, backing up a stellar outing from starter Branden Jackel, who went 4.2 innings without allowing an earned run.
 
Point Loma (22-7-1 overall, 14-5-1 PacWest) returns to Carroll B. Land Stadium next week for a four-game PacWest series against Chaminade on Wednesday and Thursday, with a doubleheader scheduled for both days.
 
First pitch on Wednesday is set for noon.