By Tim Peterson
(Azusa) – Point Loma scored five runs in the fifth inning to erase a one-run deficit and went on to beat Azusa Pacific 9-6 Saturday in the nightcap of a doubleheader. The Sea Lions also won the first game 7-1 to sweep the two games. It was a tough weekend for the Cougars as they also both games of a doubleheader on Friday.
Azusa Pacific was up 4-3 going into the top of the fifth inning when Point Loma not only took the lead but broke it open. Jake Entrekin, Hunter Otjen and Jack Malone walked to load the bases. Tommy Molina then came off the bench to line a pinch-hit single to left and Eric Smelko was hit by a pitch to force in another run. Esai Santos then delivered the big blow – a line shot to the alley in right center field to clear the bases. A 4-3 Cougars lead was suddenly 8-4 Sea Lions.
Owen May socked a homerun in the seventh inning for Point Loma’s final run. Azusa Pacific added two in the bottom of the seventh on a run scoring double by Cade Marshman to plate Cameron Lee and then Marshman scored himself on an error. But the Sea Lions got the final out to secure the 9-6 victory and the doubleheader sweep.
APU got a run in the first inning a double by Lee and an RBI single by Marshman. Point Loma took the lead with three in the second when Joey Nicolai drove in Otjen and Malone with a base hit to left.
Omar Lopez drove one over the left field barrier in the bottom of the second for Azusa Pacific to make it 3-2. The Cougars then took the lead in the third inning. Mikey Easter walked and Danny Yanez doubled to left. Will Medina then ripped a shot into left field to drive in both runners.
Point Loma then rolled a five in the fifth to take the lead for good.
The Cougars used five pitchers on the day. Cameron Kessel worked the first three innings and Matthew Brock followed him and pitched one and one-third innings and took the loss. Point Loma sent four pitchers out to the hill. Branden Jackal started and threw the first three innings. Max Montplaisir relieved him and allowed no runs and one hit in an inning of work and picked up the win.
Azusa Pacific fell to 18-26 overall with the loss and 13-14 in the PacWest Conference. The Cougars have lost 10 of their last 11 games but are still in fifth place in the conference. Point Loma improved to 33-8-1 and 22-5-1 in the PacWest and is tied for first place in the PacWest with Westmont.
PL 0 3 0 0 5 0 1 9 11 2
AP 1 1 2 0 0 0 2 6 11 0
Don’t know the circumstances, but why would a coach schedule 2 doubleheaders in 2 days? Pitching staff is that Deep? Obviously not.