CARY, N.C. – The IUP baseball program found itself on the wrong end of a pitching battle and a few bad bounces in the program's debut in the 2024 NCAA DII College World Series, falling 2-1 to Point Loma on Saturday at the USA Baseball Training Complex.
 
Fifth-seeded IUP (38-17) struggled with runners in scoring position most of the day, eventually breaking through in the eighth inning on a Brady Yard single with the bases loaded. Meanwhile, Mark Edeburn delivered a stellar showing on the mound.
 
Already the program's all-time leader in innings pitched in a season and career, Edeburn dazzled with eight innings on the mound. He allowed two runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and a pair of walks, helping keep IUP within striking distance throughout the afternoon.
 
Dylan Miller tossed seven scoreless on the mound for No. 4 seed Point Loma (46-11-1), scattering seven hits with seven strikeouts. IUP finished the day 3-for-18 with runners on and 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position, moving the game-tying run to second in the ninth inning.  
 
After seven innings, the Sea Lions went to the bullpen to close out the game. PLNU got a key out at home in the IUP half of the eighth inning on a foul ball and play at the plate. James Sahsin dealt a scoreless ninth inning for his nation-leading 18th save of the season, a new PacWest Conference single-season record. 

The Sea Lions advance in the winner's bracket, returning to the field Monday, June 3 at 6 p.m.
 
For the Crimson Hawks, the team returns to action on Monday afternoon for an elimination game and a 1:30 p.m. matchup.
 
Harrison Pontoli and Peyton Johnson posted a pair of hits each, while Andrew Sicinski added a hit and two walks. IUP went 6-for-9 at the plate in leadoff situations before Point Loma found a way to work around traffic on the basepaths.
 
IUP put two runners on during its first trip to the plate before a line out ended the first inning. The Hawks turned a timely double play in the first inning with Edeburn on the mound before a strikeout ended the threat.
 
After smacking a single up the middle, Au'sean Owens raced to third after a pickoff attempt sailed wide with one out in the third. Owens was stranded at third base and Point Loma responded with a leadoff double in the home half of the frame. Moving to third on a misplayed ball, Joey Nicolai raced home on a groundout from Eric Smelko.
 
With runners on the corners, IUP left two runners on base in the fourth against PLNU starter Miller. The Crimson Hawks stayed in the game with strong pitching and defense. Offensively, despite working deeper into counts, IUP struggled to muster timely hits with runners on base.
 
The Sea Lions doubled their lead at 2-0 in the fifth with a run-scoring single through the right side from Esai Santos. Edeburn continued battling on the mound into the seventh inning.
 
Johnson slashed a leadoff double in the seventh. The Hawks could not push him any further as Miller worked out of the jam. IUP continued delivering on the defensive end with Davin Landers tossing out Nicolai in the seventh for the second out of the frame.
 
IUP broke through in the eighth inning, with Pontoli and Elijah Dunn each reaching on a single. Sicisnki drew a walk to load the bases before Yard singled home Pontoli for IUP's first run of the day. The Sea Lions turned a key double play on a foul out and play at the plate that stood after replay review.
 
In the ninth, the Hawks had two runners on with two outs.
 
Up Next
IUP looks to reset against the loser of the Central Missouri/Angelo State game on Monday, June 3 at 1:30 p.m.
 
Follow
For coverage of the IUP baseball program, follow the Crimson Hawks on X (Twitter) and Instagram @IUPBaseball and online at IUPathletics.com.
   
 

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