The Sea Lions of Point Loma Nazarene took both games of Saturday's doubleheader in San Diego, defeating Westmont by scores of 6-3, and 4-3. The games were originally scheduled to be played in Santa Barbara, but were moved to the Point Loma campus to avoid rain in Santa Barbara.
In the first game, Point Loma scored two runs in the first, second and fourth innings to go ahead 6-0. Westmont got on the board by putting up two runs in the top of the sixth inning. After senior designated hitter Cody Chapman walked with one away, senior second baseman Anthony Martinez singled to right field, advancing Chapman to third base. Chapman then scored on a sacrifice fly to right by junior shortstop Robert De Leon.
Junior first baseman Mark Boujikian moved Martinez to second with a single through the right side of the infield and freshman centerfielder Taylor Maddox delivered an RBI-single up the middle which allowed Martinez to score.
Westmont added a third run in the eighth inning after De Leon was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Sophomore Charles Whitman was called in as a pinch runner for De Leon and reached second on a single through the left side by Boujikian. One out later, freshman third baseman Jordan Bottenfield connected for a single to right-centerfield which scored Whitman from second base.
Junior right-hander Max Gutierrez (0-3) took the loss for the Warriors. The starter gave up four runs on six hits in an inning and one-third of work. Freshman right-hander Chris Plance took over for Gutierrez, allowing two runs on three hits in three and two-thirds innings. Plance walked three and struck out three. Senior left-hander John Evans pitched the final three innings. Evans, who did not allow a run, allowed only two hits and one walk while striking out three batters. Starter Chris Honor (4-1) was awarded the win for the Sea Lions.
After giving up a single run in the first inning of the second game, the Warriors took a brief 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning. Chapman led off with a single to centerfield and reached second base on a sacrifice bunt by Martinez. De Leon then stepped to the plate for the Warriors and pounded an-RBI triple to centerfield. De Leon scored on a ground out to the shortstop by Bottenfield.
Point Loma did not allow the Warriors to enjoy their lead for very long. The first four batters in the bottom of the fourth connected for singles and the Sea Lions scored three runs in the inning to take a 4-2 lead.
Westmont picked up another run in the top of the sixth. Maddox led off the inning with a single to left and reached second one out later when Martinez was hit by a pitch. De Leon picked up his third RBI of the day on a single to center.
Kellen Skersies (1-2) was assigned the loss after giving up four runs on eight hits in three innings of work. Senior Jonathan White took over for Skersies, allowing only one hit in an inning and one-third. Sophomore Tim Crabbe pitched the final inning and two-thirds, also allowing just one hit. Starter Andrew Bovich (3-1) received the win for Point Loma.
The Warriors will be on the road this week, traveling to The Master's (12-2-1, 5-2) on Wednesday and then to San Diego Christian (6-6, 2-6) for a doubleheader on Saturday.
