The seventh-ranked Point Loma High School Pointers baseball team defeated the No. 10 Eastlake Titans on Tuesday, May 22, in a single-elimination playoff game at Dana Field.
The Pointers defeated Eastlake 3-1.
“It was a tremendous team effort today,” said head coach Jon Posternack. “We had guys who stayed after for batting practice on Monday, and they were the guys that came through for us today.”
The Pointers were scheduled to face Grossmont High School on Wednesday, May 23.
Results of the game were not available at press time.
Point Loma’s pitching ace, Hunter Herrera, hurled seven strong innings against the Eastlake team, striking out seven batters and giving up a run on only four hits.
Despite Herrera’s pitching effort, the Pointers led only 1-0 going into the bottom of the sixth inning until first baseman Bob Mago’s two-run homer gave Herrera some breathing room and clinched the victory for the Pointers.
PLHS finished with an overall record of 13-17 in 2006 with an 11-15 regular-season record.
“We improved our win totals this year from 11 to 16 even though we’re in one of the toughest leagues,” Posternack said.
This year, the Pointers posted a 16-13 regular season record and went 4-8 against Western League competition.
“We had some high points in the regular season, including a 4-2 victory over Mission Bay after they beat us 2-1,” Posternack said.
“We also defeated the defending Western League champs University City 10-3,” Posternack said.
Point Loma also won the Lions Tournament this season, winning all five of its games and outscoring its opponents 42-12.
Herrera tossed a no-hitter against Clairemont in a 6-0 victory over the Chiefs.
Senior shortstop Scott Heylman has also committed to play baseball at UC Davis for the 2008 season.
Heylman was named All-Western League, First Team honors and made the San Diego Union-Tribune All-Academic team in 2006.
This season Heylman was named to the Puma Preseason All-American team.
The Pointers appear well-positioned for the future, especially after the freshman team reached the CIF semi-finals round as well, defeating La Jolla and Mira Mesa before Scripps Ranch eliminated them with one game to play before the championship round.
The PLHS Boosters will host a recognition dinner in their honor on Saturday, June 9, at 6 p.m. at All Souls Episcopal Church on 1475 Catalina St
The tickets are currently on sale and are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3 to 10.
Children 3 and under and players are admitted free.