Costa Mesa, Calif. - The Lions took the field to complete a three-game series against the Cal State San Marcos Cougars. After losing the previous day, the Lions took the first game of the day's double header with a score of 2-1, before dropping the decisive third game 7-2. The Blue and Gold entered the day with a record of 1-1 and ended with 2-2 standing.
In the first game, Lions' starting pitcher Antonio Peraza (0-0) pitched 7.2 innings giving up one run on four hits, striking out 10. Reliever Robert Purpura (1-0) struck out two of the four batters he faced, to gain his first win of the season.
The Cougars were on the scoreboard first, scoring on a throwing error by Vanguard catcher
Bryson Rahier, following a double down the left field line and a stolen base. The Lions' first run was scored by Kyle Willet who stole both second and third base, before reaching home plate on a throwing error by San Marcos catcher Kevin Silvett. It remained a 1-1 draw until the bottom of the ninth inning. After designated hitter
Jeremiah Mejia was walked, he advanced to third base on a single from
Tyson Leighton. Mejia proceeded to score on a walk-off single from
Kyle Hardman.
In the back half of the double header, Vanguard fell 7-2 after giving up five runs in the top of the fourth inning. The Lions drew first blood, scoring on a fielder's choice off Leighton's hit. Brandon Young reached base on a double to third base and advanced on a throwing error of Brandon Pesante's bunt.
In the fourth inning, after Jemmett singled through the left side and advanced after Austin Coleman was walked. With two outs gone in the inning, the Cougars scored five unearned runs after a fielding error by third baseman
Bryce Arroyo.
San Marcos added an additional run in the fifth inning as Jemmett walked, stole second, and scored on a single by Coleman. The final run for the Cougars came in the top of the sixth inning, after Mike Mecucci was hit by a pitch and stole second base. He was batted home by Kyle Secciani.
The Lions tried to rally with two outs in the seventh and final inning.
Eric Sanchez doubled down the left field line, before scoring on a RBI single from
Ethan Harper. The Lions ended the inning with the bases loaded after a walk, two wild pitches, and a stolen base. The attempted comeback ended with a ground out to the second base by Pesante.
Brett Miller (1-0) earned his first victory of the year in the match, with seven innings of action giving up two runs on six hits, and walking four batters. For the Lions,
Gabriel Garcia (1-1) gave up five runs in his four innings on the mound and received the loss on the day. Relievers
Corey Kohnke and
Joseph Vega III collectively gave up three hits, two runs, and struck out five in their three innings of pitching.
The Blue and Gold takes the diamond next on Feb 4th and 5th, for a three-game series against Cal State University East Bay. Game times are schedule for 2:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m., respectively.
