After nearly winning the division title in the recent Lions tournament, Point Loma’s Pointer baseball team is perched atop Eastern League standings as they continue to face off against unfamiliar new teams.
The Pointers (13-7-1) made a strong run in the 6A division of the annual Lions Tournament, defeating La Jolla (16-1), Rocklin, CA (4-3), Otay Ranch (3-1) and Westview (4-2) to advance to the championship game against Eastern League rival Patrick Henry.
In that game, the Pointers put together a nine-hit attack, led by freshman Hunter Otjen (2 for 3) and sophomore Anthony Hall (2 for 4 with a double). The Patriots were held to only six hits.
But with two swings of the bat, the Patriots scored five runs, three on a home run by senior Alex Willkomm and two on a double by senior Tyler Hawke to lead their team to a 5-2 win.
All the Patriot runs came in a fateful fifth inning when senior Pointer hurler Santiago Gomez, who took the loss, was charged with three runs and senior reliever Dan Berry was charged with two.
The Pointers will have opportunities for revenge when they meet the Patriots twice in league play. They will meet on May 16 at David Wells Field and again May 18 at Patrick Henry to close out regular season play.
Last week, the Pointers improved their league record to 3-0 with a 3-1 win over Serra at home.
This time, a seven-hit total was posted by the hosts, led by junior Mitchell Sardo’s two hits, both doubles. Otjen had one RBI before senior Frank Rogozienski stepped to the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning and lashed a two-RBI single that proved the game winner.
Junior Jared Bacon had a double for the Dogs, who also drew hits from senior Matt Amberg and juniors Josh Ball and Justin DaLuz.
Sardo was credited with the win, going six innings (84 pitches) while walking three and striking out two. All four Serra hits were singles. Roman Paniagua came on in the seventh, using 14 pitches to record a 1-2-3 inning and earn the save.
The Pointers have raised their team batting average to .264 with DaLuz taking the lead (.355).
On the mound, Sardo sports a 5-1 record with a stingy 1.17 ERA. Other starters include Gomez (2-3, 1.12), senior Andrew Johnson (2-2, 1.57) and spot-starting junior Autin Correia (2-0, 2.47).
Reliever Paniagua has a 0.60 ERA in nine appearances and junior reliever A. J. Shrader has yet to give up an earned run in 7.1 innings. He has recorded three saves.
Remaining league games:
– May 1 at San Diego;
– May 4 at Coronado;
– May 9 at University City;
– May 11 University City;
– May 16 Patrick Henry;
– May 18 at Patrick Henry.
