Though every conference contest can be a make-or-break game, the GSAC opener was especially important for the Lions, who are looking to make the jump into the conference's upper echelon this spring. Vanguard played like a win meant more to the hosts, and captain Brandon Godfrey was lights out on the mound for VUSC.  The senior lefty shut down the Cougar offense with a dazzling array of pitches, and allowed the offense to stay in a rhythm for the majority of the game.

 

Fellow captain Zach Leighton started the game with a single off Azusa starting pitcher Peter Gehle, and advanced to second on a failed pick-off attempt. After a groundout moved Leighton to third, VU designated hitter Eric Krzysiak tripled to give the Blue and Gold the early one-run lead. Godfrey moved smoothly through the Cougar order, and Vanguard jumped on Gehle again in the fourth.

 

After an error by the APU first baseman allowed Vanguard's Billy Hamilton to get on base, right fielder Jake Domingos walked, bringing up Tyson Leighton. The Lion centerfield crushed an offering from Gehle over the wall, giving the hosts a 4-0 advantage.

 

Godfrey pitched superbly through the sixth inning, keeping the visitors off the scoreboard while allowing only two hits and striking out four batters. Vanguard added one more run in the bottom of the sixth on a Hamilton bomb, and then again in the eighth, using two hit-by-pitches, a single, and a walk to notch one more run on the board. 

 

The lead was plenty enough for VU relievers, as Adrian Mendoza and Robert Purpura combined to throw the final three innings without giving up a hit. Godfrey earned the win, boosting his record to 3-0 on the year. Gehle took the loss for the Cougars, while his team dropped to 7-2 on the season with the defeat. Tyson Leighton led the Pride offensively, going 2-3 with the three RBI. His brother, Zach, finished the game 2-5, scoring a run in a process. 

 

Vanguard will host the same Cougar squad tomorrow at VU. The first pitch of the single game is set for 2:00 p.m.