San Diego, CA (4/18) – Major League Baseball’s all-time saves leader, Trevor Hoffman, visited Carroll B. Land Stadium Wednesday afternoon before the start of the Point Loma Nazarene versus San Diego Christian game. The Padre closer met with players from both teams and then signed autographs for fans before tossing out the ceremonial first pitch.

The five-time MLB All-Star played college baseball at the University of Arizona. At the time Hoffman was a hard-hitting shortstop. Playing second base was J.J. Northam, son of PLNU Head Coach Jack Northam.

“As middle infielders on the same team, Trevor and J.J. become good friends,” said Coach Northam. “We have followed his career over the years and stayed in touch with him. We were thrilled when he was traded to the Padres. At the time no one knew who he was. But even as he has become one of the most famous pitchers in baseball, he hasn’t changed a bit. He is a great guy who is very accommodating. We really appreciate all that he does for us.”

Sea Lion starter Taylor Cameron would not have needed Hoffman’s - or any other reliever’s services – Wednesday, however. Cameron tossed a complete-game shutout in less than two hours, leading PLNU to a 2-0 Golden State Athletic Conference win. The senior improved to 6-2 on the season. He allowed just six baserunners over nine frames, yielding two hits, three walks and hit one batter.

Cameron spent a half an hour with Hoffman prior to the game.

"It was awesome," Cameron said. "We talked about how he gets ready for a game and what he thinks about when he is pitching. I tried to bring some of that to the mound today."

Lance Janke, Cameron’s counterpart, was nearly as effective. The SDCC junior surrendered just five PLNU hits in his eight-inning stint but fell to 6-6 on the season.

The Sea Lions managed to push across single runs in the first and fourth innings. Right fielder Kaohi Downing led off the bottom of the first inning with an infield hit. He would eventually reach third base and come home on a sac fly from third baseman Andy Reilly.

Reilly scored the second – and last – run of the game, doubling with one out in the fourth ahead of a RBI single from DH Jeff Fox.

Cameron did the rest, holding the Hawks hitless over the final four innings.

The win capped an exciting day that began with Hoffman’s visit. It’s not often that players and fans at a NAIA college baseball game get to meet a future MLB Hall of Famer. Hoffman seemed to enjoy his time at Point Loma as well.

“I have an affection for Point Loma,” Hoffman said. “I’ve been able to come out here in January and usually see a ballgame when my junior college (Cerritos) comes and plays. I've been in town for 15 years with the Padres and [PLNU] is a neat baseball program. It’s nice for me to be here.”

The Sea Lions and Hawks meet again at Point Loma on Thursday. Game time is set for 3:00 pm.