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RoertAnthony Cruz catches a ball in leftfield
Steven Guersch
11
Winner POINT LOMA PLNU 8-13
6
Biola BU-BASE 5-13
Winner
POINT LOMA PLNU
8-13
11
Final
6
Biola BU-BASE
5-13
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
POINT LOMA PLNU 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 2 5 11 12 1
Biola BU-BASE 0 0 0 1 1 1 3 0 0 6 8 2

W: Veen, Zachary (1-0) L: Butler, Connor (0-1)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Angelina Staumont, Sports Information Director

What Could've Been

BU gives up a five run ninth-inning to drop game one to PLNU 11-6.

LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Once again BU Baseball was unable to close out a close game, dropping game one of Friday's doubleheader against Point Loma 11-6. A five run ninth inning propelled PLNU to the win as Biola was unalbe to respond. 

Larson Kindreich got the start for Biola and pitched well. Unfortunately, fielding errors and lack of communication lead to long innings for Kindreich as he turned a quality start pitching six innings and surrendering only three earned runs. Kindreich allowed seven hits in the contest and struck out three.

Johnny Sage had a good day at the plate going 3-4 with one RBI. Jackson Collins went 2-4 with a double while Jacob Portaro hit a homerun for BU.

After retiring the leadoff batter, Kindreich walked Baxter Halligan. Fortunately for Kindreich, catcher Ben Smith caught Baxter Halligan stealing which proved to be a big play for the Eagles as the next batter launched a solo shot over the head of left fielder RobertAnthony Cruz for the early 1-0 lead. 

Spotty defense and bad luck for Biola scored two additional runs for the Sea Lions in the top of the second inning extending their lead 3-0. An additional run came across for PLNU in the top of the fourth inning making it a 4-0 game. In the bottom of the fourth, Jake Portaro hit a no doubter over the left field wall to bring BU within three runs of PLNU. The Eagles added on another run in the bottom of the fifth as Johnny Sage drove in Ben Smith and came within two of Point Loma. 

Kindreich was able to put up back-to-back scoreless innings in the fifth and sixth innings to keep the Eagles right in the game. In the bottom of the fifth, Ben Smith crossed the plate to give BU another run closing in on the Sea Lion 4-2. 

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Jackson Collins led off with a single to right center field giving BU a runner on for Ryan Gallegos. Gallegos worked a five pitch walk to give BU two on with no outs. Prepared to bunt, Brandon Cody not only placed the perfect bunt down but he was able to reach first base safely to load the bases. Still no outs, Ben Smith grounded into a double play but brought home Collins from third to train the Sea Lions by one. 

Tyler Mead replaced Kindreich on the mound in the seventh inning and retired the Sea Lions in order. Mead's big inning fired up the Eagles as they scored three runs in the bottom of the frame. 

After the Sea Lions were able to sit down BU's lead off hitter, Johnny Sage singled to left field and rather than letting RobertAnthony Cruz step in the box PLNU elected to intentionally walk Cruz for the third time in the contest. 

Following a pitching change, Portato reached base after being hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Collins with only one out. Right on que, Collins roped a double driving in Sage and Cruz giving Biola its first lead of the day 5-4. The Eagles were not done as Ryan Gallegos brought home Portato on a sacrifice fly extending their lead 6-4.

The Sea Lions were quick to respond as they tied the game up in the top of the eighth  inning scoring two runs on Tyler Mead. 

In the bottom of the frame, Ben Smith reached with a lead off single. On a sacrifice bunt attempt Tyler White popped out to the pitcher who had a chance to turn a double play as Smith was halfway to second base. Fortunately for the Eagles, the PLNU pitchers lost the ball on the transfer and Smith was able to dive into first base safely. 

With two out and one on, lead off hitter Sage stepped to the plate. Sage was able to work a four pitch walk to bring Robert Anthony Cruz to the plate. After being intentionally walked three times already, a wild pitch forced PLNU to intentionally walk Cruz for the fourth time bringing Portaro to the plate. 

With the bases loaded and no outs, Veen's first pitch to Portaro nearly hit him which would have scored Smith from third. A visit to the mound followed Veen's pitch in the dirt as the Sea Lions went over how to retire Portaro and get out of the bases loaded jam. 

Ahead in the count 1-0, Portaro took a strike from Veen to even the count. A well placed tarp eliminated a play in foul territory for PLNU's third baseman which would have rolled the inning. Excellent plate discipline by Portaro forced the count even at 2-2. On the next pitch Portaro saw he lined a ball to left center field which looked to be extra bases and would have scored at least two runs. Fortunately for the Sea Lions, center fielder Izayah Alvarez was able to lay out and make an incredible play to retire Portaro and keep the game tied. 

Hard throwing Connor Butler entered the game for BU and prepared to face the top of the order for PLNU. Butler issued a lead off walk to Waterman but was able to throw out Waterman at second on a fielder's choice. Butler continued to fight his command and walked the bases loaded. With only one out in the inning Head Coach Jeff Calhoon elected to leave Butler in the game to get out of his bases loaded jam.

What could have been an opportunity for a double play was washed away as errors continued to haunt the Eagles. Unable to record an out on the play, the Sea Lions plated one run and proceeded to plate a second on a single to left field. With the bases still loaded and only one out it was AJ Ortiz who got the call from the pen. 

The nightmare inning continued for Biola as a wild pitch was charged to Ortiz, plating another run for Point Loma and moving two runners into scoring position. Ortiz was able to get Dumont to strikeout swinging giving BU two outs in the frame. A Sea Lion's single brought two more runs across to score extending Point Loma's lead to 11-6. The five run inning finally came to an end but the damage had ben done. 

Down to their final three outs, BU faced quite the challenge needing to score five in the inning to extend the game or six to walk it off. Unfortunately the Eagles were retired in order to end the contest. 

The loss moves BU to 5-13 and 5-10 in PacWest play.   
 
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