Pomona, Calif. - The Vanguard Lions baseball team lost the first of a three-game series with Cal Poly Pomona this afternoon. Traveling to Pomona for game one, the Lions could not overcome a three-run first inning by the Broncos and eventually lost the nonconference matchup 5-4.
Vanguard got off to a rough start as VU's starting pitcher Antonio Peraza allowed three runs on only two hits in the bottom of the first inning. With the help of two walks and a hit batter, the Broncos needed just two hits to stake a 3-0 lead which would remain the score until the bottom of the fifth inning.
Peraza cruised through the second, third, and fourth innings, allowing just one hit before taking the hill for the fifth inning. In the fifth, the Broncos tacked on a single run with three consecutive singles to increase the spread to 4-0 for the Broncos.
Bronco hurler Casey Yokubaitis quieted the Vanguard offense on three hits through the first five innings but the Lions ruined the shutout with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning. Yokubaitis hit Mario Romero to lead off the inning and Matthew Avery launched a two-run home to cut CPP's lead to 4-2 after six complete innings.
The hosts added what became the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth as the Broncos tallied a run on two walks and a hit against three VU relievers. Senior Corey Kohnke, who was charged with the final run, combined with Tucker Woods and Mike Leal to pitch the sixth. Leal shut out the Broncos in the last two innings, allowing one hit and striking out two batters.
Vanguard was held scoreless in the seventh and eighth innings with Jake Reed stumping the Lions on two hits and no runs. The hosts brought in Allen Rodarte to pitch the ninth inning, but the Lions kept the game going with a one out single from Kyle Hardman. One out later, senior Jacob Domingos drilled a two-run round-tripper to right field to close the gap to 5-4. Unfortunately, the Lions left the tying run on base as, Reed recorded the final out to get out of the jam and notch the save for the hosts.
Avery, who went 2-for-4 at the plate with 2 RBI, was the only Lion with more than one hit. Domingos and Avery each pounded their first home run of the season for VU.
Peraza drops to 1-1 with the loss as the Lions matched CPP with eight hits on the day, but Vanguard pitching issued five walks to CPP's one in the nine-inning game.
The Lions (4-4) return to the diamond tomorrow for a rematch and the final two games of the series. Game one of tomorrow's double header begins at 11 a.m.
