SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs made things interesting in the final two games of the series versus #8 Point Loma Nazarene University but couldn't break through as they are swept in San Diego.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- Final Game One: UCCS 7, PLNU 9 | Final Game Two: UCCS 3, PLNU 6
- Records: UCCS (2-9, 0-0 RMAC) | PLNU (8-2, 0-0 CCAA)
- Facility | Location: University of San Diego – Fowler Park | San Diego, Calif.
- All-Time Series: The Sea Lions lead the Mountain Lions five wins to two in the all-time series between the programs dating back to 2019.
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME ONE
- UCCS starter Cole Philip was jumped on early, as the Sea Lions tagged the redshirt junior for eight runs across his 2.2 innings in the contest. The four run second inning was the biggest for PLNU which included a two-run blast from Esai Santos, as well as a RBI double from Jake Entrekin.
- The Mountain Lions had a big inning of their own in the eighth inning to continue their trend of late inning pushes. The frame showcased a Kit Wigington two run shot, with Alec Gomez going back-to-back with a solo shot of his own. A sacrifice fly from Caleb Chance and a RBI single from Colton Trudeau would round out the scoring for UCCS, but it wouldn't be enough as PLNU took game three by a 9-7 final to secure the series victory as well.
GAME STATISTICS | GAME ONE
- Kit Wigington hit his third home run of the season and second in as many days.
- UCCS' Wigington, Colton Trudeau, along with PLNU's Esai Santos, Eric Smelko, and Jake Entrekin all knocked in two RBIs in game one.
- The Sea Lions displayed a great deal of discipline at the dish, drawing a staggering seven walks from the Mountain Lions pitching staff.
- Cole Philip (1-1) takes the first loss of his season, with Cole Colleran (1-1) picking up his first victory behind an effective 5.2 inning, five strikeout outing.
HOW IT HAPPENED | GAME TWO
- The Mountain Lions were the team to jump out to an early lead in the series finale, earning an RBI single from Alec Gomez in the first; grabbing a Kasey Campbell run on a double play in the second; and bringing in Hayden Iverson on a wild pitch in the third.
- After the early mistakes, the Sea Lions buckled down on defense and stifled the Mountain Lions the rest of the contest, while they went to work in the batter's box.
- An Esai Santos double broke the ice for the hosts, plating Joey Nicolai in the third.
- The fourth was a big inning for the second consecutive game, with the Sea Lions grabbing three runs, and the lead, behind a Scott Anderson solo home run, a Colton Trudeau wild pitch allowing Jake Entrekin to come across, and a Bryson Hashimoto RBI single going down as the game winner.
- PLNU would add two more runs in the fifth, but with the absence of UCCS' offense down the stretch for the first time this season, the Sea Lions earned the 6-3 win and series sweep.
GAME STATISTICS | GAME TWO
- Five different Sea Lions knocked in runs in the finale.
- With UCCS scoring on a double play and wild pitch, Alec Gomez had the only RBI for the Mountain Lions.
- Matthew Gonzales pitched a solid 1.2 innings downing all but one of the batters he faced.
- Vander Hodges (0-2) took the loss for UCCS, with PLNU's Austyn Coleman (2-0) remaining undefeated.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- UCCS failed to score a run in the final three innings of a game for the first time this year in the finale.
- Game four was just the fourth game this season that UCCS has not recorded a home run.
- Game four was the first game of the season that UCCS did not earn a walk.
UP NEXT
- The Mountain Lions host Colorado State-Pueblo on Tuesday at 2 p.m. to kick off a stretch of six home games in eight days.
SOCIAL
Twitter - @GoMountainLions
Instagram - @gomountainlions
Facebook – Go Mountain Lions
As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs competes in 14 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
