Dylan Miller gave up just one run over seven innings to lead No. 4 Point Loma Nazarene University to a 2-1 victory Saturday in the first game of the NCAA Division II College World Series.
Eric Smelko and Esai Santos each had an RBI for PLNU (46-11-1) , which proved to be enough offense for Miller. The starter, a Coronado High grad, struck out seven while only allowing a late run in the eighth inning at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C.
Miller threw seven scoreless frames against No. 5 Indiana University of Pennsylvania before the first two Crimson Hawks reached base in the top of the eighth, prompting Christian Williams to come in from the bullpen.
IUP (38-17) scored once before Williams induced a foul out to first and Joey Nicolai fired home to cut down the tying run at the plate and complete an inning-ending double play.
James Sashin pitched a scoreless ninth, earning his 18th save of the season to set a new program and PacWest Conference single-season record.
PLNU scored once in both the third and fifth to go ahead 2-0.
The Sea Lions struck first when Smelko, out of Helix Charter High, drove in Nicolai with an RBI-groundout. The first baseman had led off the inning with a double to right center before advancing to third on a bobble by the center fielder.
PLNU then tacked on another in the fifth on Santos’ RBI-single through the right side. Tommy Molina led off the inning with a hit by pitch and advanced to second on Nicolai’s sacrifice bunt, allowing Santos to double PLNU’s advantage.
Nicolai and Jake Entrekin, a prep at Steele Canyon High, each collected a pair of hits.
Point Loma advances to play the defending national champions, No. 8-seed Angelo State, at 3 p.m. Monday.
Angelo State (42-19) prevailed over top seed Central Missouri 3-2 in 11 innings Saturday. Two batters, hit by pitches. scored – one in the eighth to tie it up and another in extras for the win.
