Hayward, Calif.- The Lions and Pioneers split a double header on Saturday, to complete the three-game series for the weekend. After a Vanguard victory 12-4 on Friday, the Pioneers rebounded with a 3-1 win in the first game before dropping the second one 7-1.
The first game featured a draw until the bottom of the fifth inning when the Pioneers put two runs onto the scoreboard. Prior to that, Vanguard only had three hits, while Cal State East Bay tallied five hits.
Catcher Josh Rush scored on a double to left center field by Lincoln Clapper. Rush reached base by singling to short stop and advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jared Berrier. Clapper scored the second run for the Pioneers on an error by the right fielder.
East Bay would add another run in the bottom of the seventh inning. After Clapper singled to right field, he was forced home by three consecutive walks.
The Lions reached the scoreboard in the top of the ninth inning, when Tyson Leighton hit a home run into right field.
The Lions' offense was limited to Leighton who scored the only run of the game, while racking up three hits in four at bats. Jerry Pena added two hits of his own including a double.
For the Pioneers, Clapper led the way with three hits, two runs, and an RBI. Rush added two hits and a run to the cause.
Starting pitcher Jason Dovel received his first loss on the season, tossing five innings giving up seven hits and two runs, while striking out four. Pioneers' pitcher Bryce Miller received his first win on the season, giving up only five hits in seven innings of action. Nolan Cassidy was rewarded with the save, while giving up the only run of the game.
In the second game, the Lions' offense erupted. Eight players recorded a hit in the contest, highlighted by Jermiah Mejia who had two hits, two runs and two RBI's in only two plate appearances.
The Pride did not wait long to attack in the second part of the double header. They put up two quick runs in the first inning. After Kyle Wilson reached on an error, he advanced to third base on a double from Leighton. Jake Domingos knocked him home on a single to the short stop. Leighton would later score on a wild pitch.
Cal State East Bay scored their only run in the third inning on a double from Nick McManus. Berrier had singled to right field before advancing to second base on a Vanguard balk.
The Blue and Gold padded its lead in the fourth inning as Mejia homered. In the fifth inning, after Avery doubled, he advanced to third base on a wild pitch before scoring after three walks.
The home runs continued in the sixth and seventh innings, as both Brandon Pesante and Bryce Arroyo got in on the action.
Pitcher Gabriel Garcia (2-1) received the win on the day, going five innings, giving up six hits but only one run. In two innings of relief, Robert Purpura struck out three batters.
For the East Bay Pioneers, A.J. Gallardo (0-1) losses his first game on the season, giving up four runs in his 4.1 innings of work.
The Lions win the series two games to one. This pushed the Vanguard record to 4-3 on the season. The Blue and Gold will next take the field on Feb. 11th and 12th for a three-game set against Cal Poly Pomona. The Lions will be on the road on the 11th at Pomona, with a game time slotted for 2:00 p.m.
