Houser Throws No-No in Point Loma Win

Kenny Houser in action Thursday

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San Diego, Calif. (4/17) -- Sea Lion freshman Kenny Houser threw a no-hitter as Point Loma Nazarene defeated Vanguard 12-0 at Carroll B. Land Stadium Thursday. The win puts PLNU at 24-18 overall and 17-13 in conference. The Lions fall to 15-27, 6-24 GSAC.

 

The no-hitter from Houser (4-1), who threw two no-nos in his high school career, was the seventh in the history of the PLNU baseball program. The last belonged to Chris Hill in a non-conference game versus British Columbia in February of 2004.

 

“My fastball was working,” said Houser who struck out nine and walked three in the complete game. “I just had to keep it down.”

 

The Sea Lion offense had three big innings, plating three runs in the third, and four runs in both the fifth and the eighth. PLNU collected 13 hits as a team and was helped out by Vanguard’s five errors.

 

Five Sea Lions tallied multiple hits: catcher Drew Bernhard, third baseman Tyler Kuehl, first baseman Ian MacMaster, second baseman Alex Cameron and DH Jon Tierney. Bernhard, Kuehl, rightfielder Andy Reilly and centerfielder Kaohi Downing each knocked in two runs.

 

VU hurler Richard Jessup (4-7) was hung with the loss, allowing eight hits and seven runs (four earned) in four frames. Robert Lemus threw three in relief, allowing another three hits and two runs. Jordan Oseguera surrendered two hits and three runs in the eighth.

 

With two outs in the ninth, Houser faced centerfielder Jason Machado, who went 1-for-4 in Point Loma's victory over the Lions on Wednesday. With one batter between him and a no-hitter, Houser fanned Machado.

 

“It feels good,” he said after being rushed on the mound by his teammates. “I was the most nervous in the seventh. I tried not to think about it. I've just got to try to match it every time. I know I can’t, but I will try to keep putting up wins.”

 

PLNU, winners of seven of their last eight, hits the road to take on NAIA No. 12-ranked Fresno Pacific, who was 29-10 (21-8 GSAC) as of Wednesday in a 12 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday.

 

-Nathan Scharn