02/04/09

Grajeda Grabs First Win at Home

VU AD Bob Wilson congratulates Coach Grajeda on 1st collegiate win

Costa Mesa, Calif. - Vanguard University's first-year Head Coach Ralph Grajeda recorded his first collegiate win today as the Lions defeated California State University San Marcos in a nonconference baseball game at the Vanguard baseball field. The Lions played their second one-run game in a row, beating the Cougars 7-6 for VU's first win of the season.

The Lions kicked their home-opener off on the right foot by scoring a pair of runs in the first inning against CSUSM starter Steve Triolo. Senior shortstop Zach Leighton led off with a single and Jacob Wood followed with a walk. Both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch, and Leighton scored when Tiolo threw a wild pitch while walking Eric Krzysiak. Jason Schaniel hit into a double play but Wood trotted home for a 2-0 VU lead.

Leighton cranked his first home run on the season to lead off the third inning, giving the Lions and VU's starting pitcher Matt Curtis a 3-0 lead heading into the top of the fourth inning. However, after cruising through the first three frames, Curtis was tagged for three runs by the Cougars, two of them unearned.

Sophomore Jordan Wishmyer relieved Curtis on the hill in the top of the fifth, inheriting a 3-3 tie. Wishmyer struck out the first two batters before giving up a double to Scott Clement. James Scott followed with an RBI single to put the Cougars on top, 4-3. CSUSM added a run off Wishmyer in the top of the sixth to stretch the visitor's lead to 5-3.

Vanguard responded with a run in the bottom of the sixth as Josh Manzano drove a sacrifice fly to center to score pinch runner Dan Black from third base. Trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh, the Lion offense went back to work, earning a few free bases with a pair of walks and a hit batter. Schaniel ripped a one-out double to clear the bases and charge the Lions into a 7-5 lead before the Cougars could get out of the inning.

Junior right-hander Mike Anderson, who took over for Wishmyer in the seventh inning, pitched a scoreless eighth inning and became the pitcher of record for the Lions. Anderson gave up a solo homer to Cougar catcher Dane Ponciano, but still earned the win as senior Chris Carls relieved Anderson for the final two outs of the game for the save.

Leighton pounded three of VU's six hits in the game and scored two runs, while Schaniel collected a double and three RBI for the Lions. Scott had three of CSUSM's nine hits as the Cougars slip to 2-1 with the loss.

Vanguard is back in action on Saturday when the Lions host The Master's College in the GSAC-opening double header. The first game begins at 11:00 a.m.

Boxscore   Use the following link to view livestats from today's game at the Vanguard Baseball Field in Costa Mesa.