Costa Mesa, Calif. - The Lions of Vanguard University met today to finish a three game series against the Broncos from Cal Poly Pomona. After losing a tight game yesterday 5-4, the Lions looked to finish the matchup with two victories. However, it would not be in the cards, as the Lions dropped the first game 3-2 before the second game was postponed.
The second game was postponed shortly before it was to begin, as the playing surface in centerfield was deemed unplayable due to situations outside the control of the teams. The final game in the series will be rescheduled and announced in the next couple of days.
The offense for the Broncos came alive totaling 14 hits on the contest, compared to only five for the Lions. Three errors by the Cal Poly Pomona defense, kept the Pride in the contest deep into the game.
After a scoreless first two innings, Jordan Whitman scored on a single up the middle from Humberto Tovalin, after reaching on a center field double. The Lions answered in the bottom of the third inning, with Jeremiah Mejia scoring off two errors by the Broncos. Cal Poly responded back, as Jenzen Torres double to center field. He advanced to third base on a single by Travis Taijeron, then scoring on Chris Miller's RBI single.
The score would be knotted at 2-1 until the top of the 8th inning, when the Broncos scored their final run. Tyson Edwards began a two out rally with a single to center field. Whitman would then reach on a fielder's choice, and Edwards crossed home plate after a single to center field by Tovalin.
The final push by the Lions was too little, too late. With two outs in the final inning, Bryson Rahier homered to right field, bringing the Lions within one run. However, on this date, the comeback did not happen as the game ended on a grounder to third baseman by the next batter.
Each team trotted out a trio of pitchers to the mound. Robert Purpura (1-1) receives his first loss on the season after pitching six innings, giving up two runs on 10 hits. Gabriel Garcia would give up the final run of the game, while striking out four batters. Joseph Vega III faced only one batter who flied out to second base.
For the Broncos, starting pitcher Geoff Broussard gave up only two hits and one run in his four innings on the mound. Reliever John Pollock gave up one hit facing only two batters. Kevin Bosson would finish the game giving up a single run, two hits, striking out five batters, earning the win to improve to 2-0.
This win boosts the Broncos record to 6-0 on the season, while dropping the Blue and Gold to 4-5. The next scheduled game for the Lions is this Wednesday Feb. 16th against La Sierra. The start time is schedule for 2:00 PM. Check back in the coming days, when a date and time are established for the completion of the postponed game.
