March 18, 2009

ORANGE, Calif (3/17) - Point Loma Nazarene University head coach Dave Williams joined the 500-win club after his Sea Lions won twice on Tuesday. Playing at the Sunwest Tournament hosted by Chapman University, NAIA No. 3-ranked PLNU beat Rio Grande (OH) 13-0 and then Holy Names 9-1.

"The credit goes to the many players who put in long, countless hours," Williams said of his 500th win. "Their dedication is the reason this program has been successful."

Point Loma Nazarene collected 17 hits as a team and scored in every inning of the opener against Rio Grande. The Sea Lions plated four in the first, highlighted by a three-run homer from first baseman Tracy Dean. Shortstop Jessica Tieszen plated a pair in a three-run second and catcher Taran Lent drove in two runs in the fifth.

Kira Wommer started and went five strong innings, allowing no runs on just a pair of hits to improve to 3-1 on the year. The junior fanned eight batters and walked one.

Dean went 3-for-4 with three runs scored in the win with Tieszen going 2-for-4 with three RBI. Second baseman Kayla Luttmers was 3-for-4 with three runs scored. Taran Lent, rightfielder Jenel Guadango and third baseman Jill Schaefer had two hits apiece.

The Sea Lions then took on Holy Names in the nightcap and once again plated four first-inning runs. That was more than enough for junior pitcher Tyler Lent (11-2) who not only hammered a run-scoring double in the opening frame, she coasted through five innings, yielding one run on two hits. Cassie Monnahan entered the circle in the sixth and gave up just one hit.

Point Loma kept up the pressure, plating three in the second, aided by Hawk miscues. DP Melissa Gomez blasted a solo homer in the fourth and centerfielder Trisha Sappington had a two-out, two-RBI double in the sixth that gave the Sea Lions the eight-run margin needed for a run-rule stoppage, the second of the day.

With that win, Coach Williams notched win number 500.

"I want to thank [PLNU Athletic Director] Coach [Carroll] Land and Cheryl Schaefer," Williams said. "Coach Land made it happen. He gave me a chance to coach this team and has always supported me. Cheryl has been with me for 10 years. First as a player, and then the last six years as a coach. I am very grateful for all that she has done for me and for PLNU softball."

The Sea Lions were led offensively by catcher Alex Wilkinson who went 2-for-3 with four RBI.

PLNU hosts GSAC rivals Concordia on for a doubleheader on Saturday starting at noon.