02/14/09

Vanguard Comes up Empty in Fresno

Fresno, Calif. - The Vanguard Lions made the long trip up to Fresno for a Golden State Athletic Conference baseball double header. The break from rain storms was enough to complete the double header, but it was not a positive outcome for the visiting Lions. FPU swept VUSC with a 9-0 victory in game one and a 3-1 decision in the nightcap.

The Lions were outhit 10-2 in game one and committed a pair of errors as the Sunbirds took a 5-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. Brandon Godfrey absorbed the loss as VU's starting pitcher. He was charged with eight runs, including six earned, while walking three and striking out six in seven innings of work. Jordan Oseguera pitched the final inning, giving up one unearned on no hits while facing six batters.

Josh Manzano and Zach Leighton collected VU's two hits in the game-one loss, but the offensive production by the Lions did not get much better in game two.

Vanguard scored its long run in the top of the third inning when VU combined two of its three total hits in the game. Leighton singled home Brett Halstead who had doubled earlier in the frame. Mario Romero had VU's other hit and the Lions stranded three runners throughout the seven-inning nightcap.

Junior Michael Anderson took the mound for the Lions in game two. He worked 3.1 innings, giving up two hits and three earned runs, and eventually took the loss. Jordan Wishmyer pitched the final 2.2 innings, scattering FPU's final three hits but shutting out the Sunbirds the rest of the way.

The double header sweep drops Vanguard to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in GSAC. The Lions return to the diamond on Tuesday when they host Cal State Dominguez Hills in a nonconference game, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Use this link to Fresno's website for more immediate results.  Thanks for following the Vanguard Lions.