Crowley Saves the Day

Friday, April 24

San Diego, Calif.

3 PM

California Baptist University

27-17, 19-7

Point Loma

31-12, 17-9

California Baptist

Point Loma

Photo by: Lauren Garcia

4/24/2015 5:49:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Andrew Shortall, Asst. Sports Information Director

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — After California Baptist University set the tone offensively, it called upon its newly-minted closer Andy Crowley to seal the deal and give it a two-game lead in as many games with its PacWest series at Point Loma.

Crowley was up to the task, ending a Sea Lion rally in the eighth inning with a crucial double-play grounder to keep a one-run Lancers edge in tact. CBU and Crowley would not give it up in the ninth, either, securing the 6-5 victory.

The win ensures the Lancers will not fall out of their top-two spot in the PacWest, as they improved to 27-17, 19-7 in conference, and keeps the fourth-ranked team in the NCAA Division II West Region in good standing playoff wise, as well. PLNU remains third in the PacWest standings — along with West Region rankings — with a 31-12, 17-9 record.

A four-run fourth gave CBU a strong 4-0 lead, but kept the Sea Lions inching back with a run in the fifth and two more in the sixth. Point Loma threatened to take its first lead of the series with a one-out rally in the eighth. Two singles and a walk brought PLNU within 6-4 and prompted the early move to Crowley, bringing him out of center field and on to the mound.

Kellen Sheppard, the first batter Crowley faced, lined a single and cut CBU's lead to 6-5. A fielding error loaded the bases with just one out for Point Loma. Just when it seemed the Sea Lions had taken control of the momentum, Crowley induced a 6-4-3 double play ball to end the inning and keep his team in front.

A leadoff walk gave PLNU a sliver of hope in the bottom of the ninth. John Taurinsky erased those aspirations when he cut down the attempted base stealer at second for the second out. Crowley ended the game when he got the last out on a fly ball to center field.

In addition to his stellar performance on the rubber, Crowley was 3-for-5 at the plate with a run scored. Stephen Lohr batted 2-for-3, scoring once and driving in another run. A.J. David (1-for-3), Antonio Chavarria (1-for-3, run) and Jake Gallaway (1-for-4) also drove in runs.

CBU's four-run explosion in the fourth was started with three-straight singles from Brian Ruhm, Chavarria and Lohr. A fielding error at third scored the two lead runners. The next two runners were retired, leaving runners at first and second. Clutch RBI singles from Gallaway and David made it a 4-0 Lancer lead.

After Point Loma crawled back within 4-3, the Lancers found some insurance in the seventh. A one-out walk and following steal from Alec Morabito started the attack. An error put Crowley on base and shifted Morabito to third. Taylor Wetzel was then intentionally walked after being brought on to pinch hit. Chavarria scored Morabito with a sacrifice fly into left, and Lohr singled up the middle to score Crowley.

David Herd earned his second win in as many series, improving to 3-1 on the season. He started the first 5.2 innings on the hill and struck out nine, while allowing three runs on four hits and no walks.