Costa Mesa, Calif- The Vanguard Lions met the Azusa Pacific Cougars to culminate the week's four-game set. After trailing 5-1 in the bottom of the 6th, the Lions rallied to beat Azusa Pacific 7-6, ending victorious in the final three games and winning the season series 3-1.

Offensively, the Lions were led by a trio of players. Jake Domingos led the way, going 4-5 and scoring two runs. Kyle Hardman added an additional three hits in three plate appearances, including two RBI. Tyson Leighton chipped in two doubles and two RBI.

Entering this afternoon, the Blue and Gold had beaten the Cougars two consecutive games in differing styles. However, the Lions limped out of the gate giving up two first-inning runs. Reaching base on a fielder's choice, Matt Kimmel and Anthony Delgado scored off a base hit from Anthony Rodriguez.

 For the Lions' first run of the game, Domingos scored on a double down the right field line by Jason Dovel. The Cougars added to their lead with a run in the 5th inning and two in the 6th. In the top of the 5th inning, Josh Leite reached on a bunt before stealing both second and third base. He scored on a passed ball. Azusa Pacific added the two additional runs, the first with Johnathan Erb scoring off a single from Trevor Lothrop. Lothrop later would score off a sacrifice fly from Leite.

The Pride trimmed the lead to two runs in the sixth. After reaching base on a single, Hardman scored off an Eric Sanchez double. Sanchez would later score on a single from Mario Romero.

In the top of the 7th inning, the Cougars extended their lead to 6-3. Delgado scored on a pass ball after he reached base on a double to center field.

The Lions evened the score at six runs apiece in the bottom of the seventh inning. Domingos and Dovel singled to reach base and Leighton knocked both of them home with a double to deep center field. Leighton scored the final run of the inning on a bunt from Sanchez.

Domingos scored the winning run in the bottom of the 8th inning, driven home by a double from Leighton.

The Cougars' offense was done by committee, highlighted by Lothrop with two hits and an RBI. Warren added two hits of his own.

Starting pitcher Dovel went 5.1 innings giving up five runs on eight hits. Reliever Corey Kohnke struck out two and one run in his 1.2 innings of action. Mike Leal gets his first win on the season after relieving in the top of the 8th inning. Joseph Vega III gets his second save on the year, battling off two late walks to preserve the win for the Pride.

Azusa Pacific trotted out a threesome of pitchers to the mound. Ben Ruder lasted 5.1 innings giving up three earned runs and ten hits. Nolan Rudman gave up four runs in his 1.2 innings on the hill and was charged with the loss as he gave up the leadoff walk in the bottom of the eighth. Cameron Ross relieved Rudman in the bottom of the 8th inning and allowed the game-winning hit to Leighton.

This win lifts the Blue and Gold to a season record of 7-7 including 3-1 in GSAC competition. The loss drops the Cougars record to 8-7 on the year, 1-3 in conference.

The Pride will next take the field against The Master's College for a four-game bill. The first two road games are March 2nd and 3rd, before returning home for a double header on March 5th. The start time for the road games are both 2:00 p.m., while the home match is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.