2022 POINT LOMA BASEBALL PREVIEW - PLNU Athletics (2024)

FULL SLATE SCHEDULED FOR 2022

After two abbreviated seasons, the Point Loma Sea Lions are anxious to get back to a fully fleshed out PacWest and NCAA Division II schedule.

The year opens up on the road at Cal State San Bernardino on February 4th, but Point Loma will be ready to open at home at America's Most Scenic Ballpark, Carroll B. Land Stadium on February 5th.

The Sea Lions will play 10 non-conference games before opening PacWest play at home on February 25th against Azusa Pacific University.

STEERING THE SEA LIONS

Head Coach Justin James returns for his fourth season at the helm of his alma mater. James has helped weather two of the most unique schedules over each of the last two seasons, but enters 2022 with a career mark of 52-50, keeping Point Loma above .500 in PacWest play as well.

His new staff includes assistant coaches Steve Sanchez and Riley Regala.

Sanchez comes to the Sea Lions from San Diego Mesa College where he served in multiple roles over the last 14 years, serving as head coach for the last five seasons.

Regala comes to the Point and will serve in player development and scouting, working with the Sea Lion hitters.

“Riley jumped in and immediately did a terrific job helping with recruiting.” James said. “He's done a great job teaching the infield and that's really helped this group settle in.”

EAGER TO ATTACK

Many of last season's highlights came from a Point Loma offense that hit .280 and this year's lineup returns five of the six hitters that posted plus .300 batting averages. But James feels the discipline in the lineup has only improved since concluding the spring of '21.

“We are more disciplined at the plate,” James remarked of his offense. “Last spring really matured our hitters, they’ve all done well this fall in understanding our approach.”

Returning cornerstones Otto Kemp and Scott Anderson are slated to lock down the left side of the infield with Kemp returning to third and Anderson settling into shortstop during the fall.

Kemp, a NCBWA Pre-Season All-American Honorable Mention, led Point Loma with a .360 average, while bopping 10 homers and driving in 21 runs, earning PacWest freshman of the year honors. The sophom*ore aims to be one of the more impactful bats in the conference in 2022. Kemp was also named to the NCBWA West Region Pre-Season 1st Team as well as the 2022 Pre-Season All-PacWest team.

Anderson was 2nd on the Sea Lions in average but led the team with 38 hits.

“Scott hit .336 last year and loved sliding over to short this fall.” James said. “That helps Otto return to the infield and they give us a lot of experience on the left side.”

Point Loma will have options at second base with Jason DuMont converting from shortstop and JJ Gerarden emerging in the fall.

“Jason gives us a reliable option and looks extremely comfortable at second,” James said. “And JJ had a great fall and could make an impact in the lineup.”

Two-way player Baxter Halligan will lock down first base when he's not on the mound, giving the Sea Lions a consistent presence in the lineup. When he is on the mound the combination of Michael Pineiro and Jakob Christian will deliver punch in the Point Loma lineup.

PITCHING THE POINT

For this Point Loma team to exceed their expectations in 2022, James pointed to the mound as the first place of improvement. Last year, the Sea Lions ranked 8th in the PacWest in ERA, but the Sea Lions have high expectations for the pitching staff and those start with a group of experienced starters.

Dylan Miller, Nathan Garkow, Baxter Halligan, and Jack Gonzales give Point Loma a veteran presence on the mound coming into the season with a plethora of innings under their belts.

Halligan was tabbed as the conference's pick as a Utility Pitcher in the Preseason All-PacWest team.

“All of our starters are strike throwers with good stuff,” James says. “They are a group of talented arms that work hard and understand situations well.”

The supporting cast of arms in the bullpen figures to be equally reliable.

Zach Veen, Cole Hillier and Hunter Otjen highlight a group of arms that will be called upon in crucial situations.

“Zach, Cole and Hunter have made such huge jumps since coming here,” James said. “They are going to play a big role in how successful we are this season.”