By Tim Peterson
(Glendora) – Hunter Otjen hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning to lift Point Loma to a 5-3 win over Azusa Pacific Saturday at Azusa Pacific.
The Cougars led 2-0 through six innings before the Sea Lions stormed back with two in the seventh to tie it and three in the eighth to get the win.
Tied at two entering the top of the eighth inning, Baxter Halligan reached on an error and Jack Malone walked. Izayah Alvarez reached on a fielder’s choice as Halligan was out at third on a ground ball short. Jeffery Barber ran for Malone. Otjen then walked up and belted a Grayson Gifford pitch over the fence in right-center field for a three-run bomb. Suddenly it was 5-2 Sea Lions and that was more than enough for the victory.
Aaron Roose homered for the Cougars in the bottom of the ninth for the final run.
Azusa Pacific took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when the pride of Glendora High School, Cade Marshman, homered to left field.
APU made it 2-0 in the fifth when Roose walked, Tito Robles singled and Casey O’Laughlin walked to load the bases. Roose then scored on a wild pitch.
The Sea Lions got even in the seventh when Alvarez, who had singled to get aboard, scored on a fly ball by Jason Dumont. Otjen, who had walked as a pinch hitter, scored on another sacrifice fly by Otto Kemp.
Otjen then came up with the big hit in the eighth which proved to be the game winner.
Jack Gonzales worked the first six innings for Point Loma and allowed seven hits and two earned runs while striking out nine. Cayden Rana pitched an inning and two-thirds to pick up the win. Zachary Veen got an out and Cole Hiller finished up in the ninth.
For the Cougars Steven Silvas started and went four and one-third innings, did not allow a hit and fanned 11. Brendan Dixon went two and Grayson one and two-thirds and suffered the loss. Andrew White worked the ninth.
The Cougars had 10 hits overall including three by Robles but it wasn’t enough. Point Loma had six hits on the day.
Point Loma improved to 12-1 on the season while APU dropped to 6-9.
PL 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 5
AP 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 3
Great Photography Mr. Barker 👍