The 2007 season came to a screeching halt Tuesday, May 8, for the Point Loma Nazarene University Sea Lions with a 14-2 loss at the hands of the Golden State Athletic Conference Champion Azusa Pacific University Cougars on the road at APU.
The Cougars (46-5) wasted no time as they struck for three runs in the first inning off starter senior Taylor Cameron.
The Sea Lions (30-18) answered with two runs of their own in the second inning, but APU added a run in the third inning and six more runs in the fourth inning as both the game and season fell apart for PLNU. Cameron lasted only 3.2 innings, giving up eight runs.
APU center fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis was the offensive MVP of the game for the Cougars, driving in six of the Cougar runs.
PLNU opened the Region II playoffs with a 2-1 loss to the Concordia Eagles (29-17) on Friday, May 4, at Carroll B. Land Stadium. Going into the playoffs, PLNU expected a tough contest from the Eagles.
“Concordia is a dangerous team. They usually play their best in the playoffs,” said PLNU head coach Jack Wortham in advance of the game. Wortham’s words proved to be true.
The Sea Lions had taken three of four games from the Eagles in the regular season, but Concordia managed to win the opening round of the playoffs to put Point Loma on the brink of elimination.
Last season, Concordia made it to the World Series.
After the discouraging loss to underdog Concordia, PLNU faced the daunting task of upsetting Azusa Pacific ” the conference champion and top-ranked team in the Region II playoffs.
The Cougars proved they are no fluke with the 12-run victory over PLNU.
The playoff game seemed typical of the Cougars this season. APU has not had consecutive losses all season, and each of its one-run victories were followed by convincing wins.
The Cougars won three of the four regular season one-run games.
The Cougars had come from behind over Patten in the opening game of the playoffs and scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to escape with a 6-5 victory.
In typical APU fashion, the Cougars responded to the close victory with a convincing win over PLNU.
Despite the loss and elimination from the playoffs, the Sea Lions have remained a potent force, reaching the playoffs for the seventh time in eight years.
PLNU also achieved its sixth consecutive 30-win season, despite an injury-plagued 2007 season.