SAN DIEGO — Two years ago the Point Loma Nazarene University baseball team made it all the way to the Division II national championship game. This weekend, the Sea Lions play in the "Sweet 16" of the baseball playoffs, and they get to host the game on their own field.
The baseball field at PLNU is nicknamed America's Most Scenic Ballpark. Friday, the Sea Lions host Cal State Monterey Bay for the first game in a best two-out-of-three series in an NCAA Division II Super Regional. The winner advances to the Division II College World Series
Point Loma Head Coach Justin James says it's going to be a dogfight. "They're a very good team. They are run well. It's always been a good battle between us. They've definitely got talent over there. They've been one of the best teams in the West region for many years," coach James said.
The team's also happy to have a home-field advantage.
"I mean, it's huge," Sea Lions shortstop Scott Anderson said. "We haven't played them at our place, I think at all in the past couple years. So I think it's going to be a pretty good help to us."
Jake Entrekin, PLNU designated hitter agreed, "We practice here and we practice for the weather days. So it's pretty big having that advantage. Plus, we get to have our own fans here packing it out. So it's pretty cool."
Several players are still on the team from the Sea Lion's run to the 2022 DII National Championship game.
"The playoff run in 2022 really helped us gain some experience. I think at this point, we kind of know what to expect," Anderson said.
"I think it's huge," James added. "We have several guys that were on that team that lost in the national championship game in 2022, and we were 51-10 that year. So they're used to playing high-leverage games, and I'm excited that they get a chance to experience this a second time. Also for the newer guys, this is huge for the program going forward that they get this postseason experience because it helps in the long run."
Tickets for the Super Regional games are just $10 for a seat in America's Most Scenic Ballpark. Find more tournament information and buy tickets here>>
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