Rallies Fall Short

Saturday, March 24

Riverside, Calif.

12:00 PM

California Baptist University

16-9, 9-6

Point Loma

16-12, 12-7

Point Loma

California Baptist

Photo by: Conner Schuh

3/24/2018 5:46:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Andrew Shortall, Asst. Sports Information Director

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — No matter how big or late the deficit, California Baptist University did not give up in any game with Point Loma this week and the Lancers exemplified their no-quit attitude best on Saturday.

Nevertheless, Point Loma won both games of the PacWest-series ending doubleheader on scores of 9-7 and 6-3, despite CBU launching rallies in the final inning of both games.

Ryan Mota and Andrew Bash put together big days at the plate for the Lancers. Mota went 4-for-7 with three doubles and three runs batted in on Saturday, while Bash was 4-for-8 with a homer, three RBIs and three more scored. Tommy Bell (two doubles) and Ryan Williams (two RBIs) also collected three hits on the day.

The Lancers drop to 16-10, 9-7 in conference, while the Sea Lions improve to 17-12 overall, 13-7 in the PacWest. CBU continues its home stand when its hosts Concordia University of Irvine next week, with the conference series beginning Thursday at 6 p.m.

CBU battled in Saturday's opener, despite going into the bottom of the ninth facing a 9-3 deficit.

Mota led off the ninth with a double in the left-center gap, and a single up the middle from Nick Plaia moved him to third. A pinch-hit single from Rory Smith scored Mota and a Williams single and RBI fielder's choice grounder from Bryce Macy cut Point Loma's lead to three runs.

Another RBI single from Bash made it 9-7 and brought the tying run to the plate, but the Sea Lions came up with a big strikeout to end the game.

PLNU scored twice in the top of the first inning of the day's opener, but CBU chipped away at the lead. Bash hit his third home run in two games for the first Lancer run in the bottom of the first.

A lead-off double from Bell and RBI single from Mota tied the game at 2-2 in the second. Singles from Williams (stolen base) and Bash then gave the Lancers their first lead, 3-2, in the third. The Sea Lions then scored seven-straight runs that proved just enough insurance for the win.

CBU struck first in game two with a mini two-out rally for a 1-0 lead after one inning. Bash started with a two-out single and Mota chased him home with a double to left center.

A two-run homer gave PLNU its first lead of the game, 2-1, in the top of the fourth and another two-out charge tied the game for the Lancers. After its first two batters of the inning were retired, Navigato was hit by a pitch. He moved to second on an Angelo Capolupo single and then came home on a Williams single.

Point Loma went back in front with a solo homer in the sixth and then added some insurance with three runs in the seventh. The Lancers looked for some more two-out magic in the bottom of the seventh.

Bash walked and then scored from first on another Mota double into the left-center gap. A hit by pitch to Bell then brought the tying run to the plate, but the Sea Lions got the last out they needed for the win.