Perez pitched 5 innings for VU |
Masuda hit a 2-run Home Run |
Costa Mesa, Calif. - The Vanguard Lions took the field with an unblemished 6-0 record today with beautiful weather and the Cal State San Marcos as their nonconference opponent. Making their first encounter of the season after a rainout just over a week ago, the Lions and Cougars fought until the end with CSUSM leaving the field with a 3-2 victory over Vanguard.
The majority of the runs today were scored in the first inning as the offense came out strong against starting pitching. VU's starter, lefty Javier Perez gave up three hits to the first three batters as the Cougars took a 1-0 lead. Ricardo Moran singled to begin the game and moved to third on a double by Omar Manzanarez. Designated hitter Kevin Silvett singled home Moran, but the Lions were able to hold Manzanarez at third base with no outs. Perez struck out the next batter and wiggled out of the jam as the VU defense turned a bunted ball into a 2-3-2 double play to end the inning.
The Lions bounced back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first as senior shortstop Zach Leighton did his job as the leadoff batter and took his base after being hit with a pitch. Leighton moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Keegan Freeman. Designated hitter Kip Masuda pounded a pitch from Cougar starter Chris Skaalen over the left field fence, giving the Lions a 2-1 advantage. However, Skaalen settled in to post a very solid outing for the visitors, holding the Lions to only one more hit through his five complete innings of work.
Perez pitched a scoreless second inning before allowing the rying run in the top of the third. Moran started the trouble again as he doubled to lead off the frame. Moving to third on a ground out, Moran scored easily on a double by Silvett. Perez escaped further damage in the third, but Matt Jenkins put the Cougars in front for good as he homered to lead off the top of the fourth inning.
Neither team scored after the fourth inning and Skaalen collected the win for the Cougars. He pitched five innings and allowed only two runs on two hits while striking out three Lions. Eric Julienne pitched 1.1 innings, allowing two hits before handing the ball over to Spencer Pardon. Pardon took over for Julienne with two runners on base and worked out of a bases loaded jam by inducing a line drive to right field which was the beginning of an inning-ending double play. Pardon maintained CSUSM's 3-2 lead the rest of the way for the save. He gave up only one hit and struck out two in 2.2 innings pitched.
Perez (1-1) took the loss for the Lions, giving up nine hits and three runs with five strikeouts in five innings of work. Adrian Mendoza pitched four shutout innings in relief of Perez, striking out one and allowing one hit to the Cougars.
Vanguard's five hits were scattered throughout the lineup, all singles except for Masuda's home run.
The Lions return to the diamond on Saturday when they host Bethany University in a nonconference double header, beginning at 11:00 a.m.
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