Purpura worked 7.2 innings |
Krzysiak scored VU's only run |
Tyson Leighton had VU's lone RBI |
Riverside, CA---After a big win against Huntington University earlier in the day, the Vanguard Lions took the field at California Baptist looking for a more important win over the Lancers. CBU, the top-seeded team and host of the five-team NAIA opening round in Riverside, had beaten the Lions four out of five times this spring. Today, the No. 3 Lancers made it five of six, taking advantage of four Vanguard errors and knocking off the Lions 6-1 in a game that was much closer than the score indicated.
Senior lefty Brandon Godfrey earned the win in the morning game against HU, Vanguard's first NAIA National Tournament victory in 25 years. Junior right-hander
Robert Purpura took the bump against the host Lancers in game two, as the only member of the Lions to beat CBU this season. Opposing Purpura was Lancer Taylor Siemens, who found trouble first.
VU leadoff hitter
Eric Krzysiak walked to start the contest, and was sacrificed to second by second baseman
Brandon Pesante. Centerfielder
Tyson Leighton crushed a pitch to left center for a double, scoring Krzysiak from second base to put the visitors on the scoreboard. However, the slim cushion did not last long, as California Baptist bounced back just minutes later. The hosts loaded the bases with one out against Purpura in the bottom of the second, courtesy of a walk, a single, and a Vanguard error. Lancer centerfielder Matt Johnson slapped a single to left for an RBI to tie the game, but Purpura responded to get out of the inning allowing just one run.
With the score still tied at one in the bottom of the fifth inning, CBU used two Vanguard errors to notch another run. After Johnson had singled again, he advanced to second on an errant throw by Krzysiak. Matt Marnati then reached base on an error by Pesante, bringing up Garrett Rau. Rau slapped an infield single to score Johnson and put the Lancers atop the scoreboard, 2-1.
Siemens settled down after the first frame, and mowed down the Lion lineup. Vanguard struggled to get going offensively, which left the door wide open for CBU. The hosts took advantage, adding another run in the seventh to take a 3-1 lead with only six outs remaining for Vanguard. After VU could not get a runner on base in the top of the eighth, the Lancers capitalized.
Purpura walked Johnson with one out, and Johnson scored on a Marnati double. Rau followed with a single of his own, plating Marnati. CBU's Brian Sharp did the final damage with an RBI base hit that scored Rau, who had stolen second. Nursing a 6-1 lead heading into the top of the ninth, Siemens finished what he had started, retiring the side for the complete game victory.
The Lions only managed four hits off Siemens, who was lights out on the bump after the first inning. Purpura was the tough-luck loser, going 7.2 innings strong, giving up four earned runs on 11 CBU hits. The Pride drops to 33-19 on the season with the loss, while California Baptist improves to 46-13 with the victory.
Vanguard will now face the winner of the Huntington University-College of Idaho game, to be played Wednesday morning. VU will take on the winner in an elimination game on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. If the Lions emerge victorious, Vanguard would play on Thursday morning at 10:00 A.M.
Box Score
