By Beth Renkoski

04/22/09

Lions Salvage Split from San Marcos

The Lions also received solid starting pitching for both games as Bryce Reid and Jordan Wishmyer each worked 6.1 innings into their respective starts. Reid, a sophomore southpaw, held the Cougars to two runs through the first five innings and carried a 3-2 lead into the top of the seventh inning. However, the first three batters tallied hits against Reid to begin the seventh. Picking one runner off base saved one run, but the double by Dane Ponciano tied the game 3-3 as he drove home Ricardo Moran. Reid walked Cougar cleanup hitter Scott Clement before handing the ball over to right-handed reliever Matthew Curtis. Unfortunately, Curtis was greeted with an RBI single. An intentional walk, a bases-loaded hit batter, and a two-run single completed CSUSM's five-run seventh inning, with three of those runs being charged to Reid (1-1) and the final two runs to Curtis.

The Lions tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the first inning when senior Jason Schaniel singled home Akins after his first double of the day. Trailing 2-1, Vanguard knotted the score again in the fourth on an RBI single by catcher Mario Romero, scoring Jacob Wood for the game-tying run. Vanguard took its first lead in the fifth inning after Akins doubled to lead off the frame. Moving to third on a right-side grounder by Schaniel, Akins sprinted home on a high chopper by Keegan Freeman.

Unfortunately, the Lions couldn't make the 3-2 lead hold as the Cougars exploded with their five-run seventh. Vanguard's final run came in the bottom of the seventh when Wood walked and eventually scored on Akins' third double, cutting CSUSM's lead to 7-4.

Wishmyer was solid on the mound in the seven-inning nightcap. Scattering five hits, walking no one, and striking out four Cougars, Wishmyer cruised into the top of the seventh with a 3-1 lead. However, a leadoff hit by Ponciano put the game in jeopardy. Recording the first out on a fly ball to center, the Cougars chopped an infield single to put the tying run on first base. The Lions called on senior Richard Jessup to put out the fire for Wishmyer. Jessup received some help from the defense as Akins made a sliding catch in shallow center field for the second out and right fielder Derek Craddock flagged down the final out to complete the game, handing Wishmyer his first win of the season and Jessup his third save.

Vanguard gave Wishmyer the early lead in the bottom of the first as Akins lead off with a single and came around to score on a double down the right field line by Josh Manzano. The Lions broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the sixth when Craddock singled and moved to second on a bunt by Brett Siegmund. Manzano drilled his second RBI double of the game to score Craddock, and later scored an insurance run on a pinch-hit single by Brett Halstead.

The split moves CSUSM to 23-13 overall and Vanguard to 17-25. The Lions return to the diamond tomorrow when they travel to San Diego Christian for a GSAC game at 3:00 p.m.

 Livestats 

Game 1 Boxscore

Game 2 Boxscore