The Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) Sea Lions softball team enters the final stretch of the regular season with a 28-8 record (12-6 in conference play) as they prepare for the GSAC Playoffs.
“Talent-wise I believe we have what it takes to advance in the playoffs, but we are still a young, inexperienced team, which is why we make mistakes sometimes,” said PLNU head coach Dave Williams.
The Sea Lions recently dropped a doubleheader to the No. 1-ranked team in the NAIA, Cal Baptist, by scores of 8-2 and 4-0.
They committed seven errors between the two games.
“It really upset me because girl-for-girl we match up well with Cal Baptist and we there is no way we should have lost to them five times in a row,” outfielder Paige Powell said. Powell was recently named GSAC Player of the Week.
“Cal Baptist is a very talented and experienced team. Offensively we were able to improve, but we have to tighten things up on defense,” Williams said.
PLNU is 4-0 since dropping the two-game series at home to Cal Baptist and have swept Azusa Pacific and Hope International, outscoring them by a total of 42-7.
“We haven’t reached our peak yet as a team, but we have to play more consistent and bring our ‘A’ game every day. We also have to have the mindset. It’s how we play, not who we play,” Powell said.
The Sea Lion softball program has been one of the most successful in the nation since Dave Williams arrived in 1998.
Coming into the 2007 season, PLNU has posted an overall record of 381-133 and a 156-56 GSAC record under Williams.
The Sea Lions have also won three GSAC ( 2002, 2003, 2004) and Region II titles (2001, 2003, 2004) each, appeared in six straight NAIA Tournaments (2001-06), which includes runner-up in 2002.
Williams is assisted by two of his former PLNU players, Cheryl Schaefer and Ruth Atkins.
Schaefer serves as infielders coach, hitting coach and first-base coach. She played at PLNU from 2000-03.
Atkins, who assists Schaefer in her coaching duties, played from 2004-06.
“We haven’t even peaked yet, but I’m curious how things will fall into place. Our goals are to win the regionals then make the nationals,” Powell said.