Costa Mesa, Calif. - The Vanguard Lions came from behind for a 9-7 victory today to even the season series at one game apiece with the Point Loma Sea Lions. Junior Tyson Leighton drilled a pair of home runs to fuel Vanguard's two big innings, including a five-run seventh that would put the Lions in the lead for good.
The Sea Lions took the early lead against Vanguard starter Jason Dovel as Alex Cameron singled, advanced to second on a walk to Tyler Kuehl, and moved to third on a passed ball, enabling him to score an unearned run on a ground out by Rashad Taylor.
Vanguard bounced back with three runs in the bottom of the first, beginning the rally on a one-out single by Brandon Young. A PLNU error moved Young to third and Eric Krzysiak singled to right to put runners on the corners. Sea Lion starter Brandon Dixon was called for a balk, advancing each runner a base and sending Young home to tie the game. Leighton stepped up next and launched a two-run blast to push the Lions into a 3-1 lead.
Dovel picked up the first two outs of the Sea Lion second but a single by Evan Lippow would be the beginning of a five-run outburst. PLNU used three walks by Dovel and four hits to take a 6-2 lead.
Dixon held the Lions hitless for three consecutive innings until Young ripped a two-out double in the fifth. Krzysiak singled to right to score Young and cut the deficit to 6-3.
Still trailing 6-3 after six complete innings, the Lions put together their second big inning of the day. With runners on the corners and two outs, the Sea Lions brought in Davis Koenig to relieve Dixon. Krzysiak greeted Koenig with a two-run single down the right-field line and Kip Masuda followed with another base hit, setting the stage for Tyson Leighton. Leighton responded with his three-run shot to cap VU's scoring and give Vanguard the 9-6 lead.
James McGeary, who relieved Dovel in the top of the fifth, continued his stellar outing with a three-run cushion in the top of the eighth. Completing four hitless innings, McGeary returned to the hill for the top of the ninth. Although Kuehl lofted a two-out solo homer, McGeary would induce a fly ball to end the game, earning his second win of the season.
Leighton led VU offensively with two homers and five RBIs and Krzysiak was brilliant at the plate with three hits, two runs, and three runs batted in. Young was also hot at the plate with two hits and three runs scored. The trio combined for seven of Vanguard's 10 hits in the win.
PLNU had six runs off seven hits, but falls to 26-9-1 overall with the loss. The Sea Lions remain in third place in the GSAC standings at 15-7, while the Lions stay in second at 17-5 in conference. Vanguard improves to 26-7 overall.
Splitting the first two games of the four-game series, the teams will meet again on Saturday for the series-ending double header at Point Loma, beginning at 12:00 p.m.
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