Point Park's season comes to an end in NAIA National Championship Opening Round

WALESKA, Ga. – Point Park saw their season come to a close in the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round as the Pioneers fell 15-4 to Keiser University (Fla.) in an elimination game on Wednesday.

The Keiser offense was hot through the entire Opening Round and that did not change in their game versus Point Park. The Seahawks ran up the score as they scored 15 runs on 14 hits to outshine the Pioneer offense who were able to only score four runs on nine hits.

Following a one hit inning by Point Park in the top of the first, Keiser's offensive charge began as the Seahawks put up four runs in the bottom of the first.

Keiser had two runners reach base via a walk before a single loaded the bases for the Seahawks where Palmer Hutchison then grounded out to third base allowing the first run of the game to cross home plate.

Two more singles by Keiser's Jhamante Woods and Dylan Symonds allowed for three more Seahawk players to score pushing the Keiser lead to four.

Keiser plated two more runs in the bottom of the second but Point Park's offense finally came through in the top of the third as they scored four runs to cut the Keiser lead down to two.

Point Park's leadoff Omar Morillo started the inning off by reaching first on an error where he then stole second base. A single by Isaac Santana and a walk by Michali Brito loaded the bases for the third basemen Eddie Javier Jr. who drew a bases loaded walk to give the Pioneers their first run of the game.

Following a pitching change, Point Park was able to tack on three more runs as Chris Williams grounded out to first base, but Isaac Santana was able to come around and score. Back-to-back singles from Jordon Campbell and Luis Gonzales then scored Brito and Javier Jr. putting the Pioneers only down by two going into the bottom of the third.

From that point it was all Keiser as the Seahawks were able to score nine unanswered runs on nine hits to put the game out of the reach of the Pioneers. Kesier put up two runs in the third, five runs in the fifth, one in the sixth, and one in the eighth on a Pablo Ruiz solo shot over the left field wall.

Point Park was unable to do anything and ultimately had their season come to a close in the NAIA Baseball Championship Opening Round in Waleska, Georgia.

Point Park had six different arms throw on the mound. John Hawley started the game and was tagged with the loss. He went 0.2 innings allowing four runs on two hits while walking two. Ramon Rodriguez pitched the most for the Pioneers as he went 3.1 innings allowing four runs (two earned) on four hits while walking two and striking out five. Ethan Parker came in for an inning of relief allowing five runs on six hits while striking out one. Joathan Rivera also threw 1.0 inning of relief allowing one run on one hit while walking one. Logan Creamer made his first appearance in the Opening Round as the freshman threw 1.2 innings of perfect relief. Finally in a full circle moment, Jose Moreno stepped on the mound for a final time on the field where he had previously played at as Moreno was a transfer from Reinhardt University (Ga.). Moreno threw 0.1 innings allowing one run on one hit while striking out one to finish out his career at Point Park

The Point Park offense had nine hits with Omar Morillo leading the Pioneer offense going 2 for 4 with a run scored. Eddie Javier Jr., Chris Williams, Jordon Campbell, and Luis Gonzalez each had a hit and an RBI for the Pioneers.

With the loss, Point Park ends their final season in the NAIA with a 42-15 overall record. Point Park had a truly magical year hitting .339 on the year with a .589 slugging percentage. The Pioneers belted 107 home runs, breaking the previous record of 82 set last year by a landslide while scoring 546 runs on the year. Point Park had five players hit 10 or more home runs on the year. Isaac Santana led the Pioneers sending 21 over the fence to set the new single season home run record while also setting the single season RBI record at 77. Another highlight of the Point Park season was Jared Campbell tying Mike Smith for the All-Time Point Park Home Run record. Campbell sits at 41 home runs for his career.