Baseball Dealt Heartbreaking 4-3 Loss by Point Loma
February 3, 2007

Complete Box Score

Point Loma's Trevor Andrews was hit by a Grant Harrell pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, pushing across the game-winning run in a heartbreaking 4-3 loss for the Cougars. The team is now 0-6 in its inaugural season.

In what was the squad's first true pitchers' duel of the year, the Cougars took a 3-2 lead into the 8th but couldn't quite hold on. Starting pitcher Scott Shapiro walked 7 in 4+ innings of work, but the fireballer only let two runs cross the plate. He was relieved by Eric Julienne, who struck out four while throwing 3.1 very strong innings of one-run ball. But the Sea Lions would get to the Cougars' late relief, rallying to score one off Jeff Stephenson in the 8th before winning the game in the 9th.

Meanwhile, Point Loma's staff shut down the Cougars, allowing just 2 hits in the game. Starter Jared Eskew allowed the hits (both to Shapiro) but gave up just one earned run, and Taylor Cameron threw 3 perfect innings of relief to pick up the win.

After getting down 2-0 in the first, San Marcos benefitted from a couple defensive miscues in the third. Ian Chatfield led off the inning with a walk, and pinch runner Mark Leslie came around to score after consecutive errors by the Sea Lions' defense. Matt Jenkins drove in the next run with a fielder's choice, and Scott Shapiro capped off the inning by doubling in Jenkins, giving the Cougars a 3-2 lead.

Just when it looked like the Cougars would pick up their first win, the Sea Lions were able to claw out a run in the 8th. Andy Fox led off the inning with a single, then made it to third after a sacrifice and Andy Reilly single. With runners at the corners, the game tying run reached the plate on a balk.

Point Loma finished the comeback in the 9th, as Travis Wiley led off the inning with a triple down the rightfield line. The decision was made to put the next two runners on base in hopes of getting the force at home, but a hit batsman allowed the final run to score.

Still, it was an encouraging effort for the Cougars' pitching staff. The team will look to build off this effort in their next game, a February 7th contest at #8 Cal Baptist.