Lakeside, Calif - The Lions finished the last two games of a four match set against the Hawks from San Diego Christian. Vanguard was victorious in the opening game 8-7, before finishing off the night cap with a 5-4 win over San Diego Christian.
In game one, the Lions struck first, scoring a run in the first inning. Jeremiah Mejia got things rolling with a double to left field to open the game. He was advanced to third base by a bunt from Jerry Pena. Mejia scored later in the inning off a wild pitch.
The Pride added another run in the second inning to add to their lead. Hardman singled to second base, before being advanced to second and third bases on groundouts by Eric Sanchez and Sean Wilson. Hardman scored off an RBI single to left field from Bryson Rahier.
The scoring ways continued for the Blue and Gold in the third inning, adding another run to their lead of 3-0. It occurred on a home run to right field from Tyson Leighton.
The third inning belonged to the Hawks, scoring four runs to take a 4-3 lead. With two outs down in the inning, Taylor Maddox was hit by a pitch before stealing second base. He would score off Ryan Inverso reaching base on an error. Trevor Bloom singled to short stop advancing Inverso to third. Brian Charnock reached on another error, advancing Bloom to second and scoring Inverso. Bloom scored by David Kazcor being walked. The next batter Joe Cuttone was also walked scoring Charnock.
The Lions tied the game up in the top of the 4th inning. Sanchez scored on a sacrifice fly by Pena. Sanchez reached base on a single to left field before advancing by Wilson being hit by a pitch, and Rahier singling to first base.
The 4-4 tie was broken in the bottom of the fourth inning, Maddox scored on a single by Charnock to center field. Maddox reached on a single to right field. He advanced by a single from Inverso and a fielder's choice by Bloom.
Down 5-4, the Lions came back in a hurry in the 6th inning, scoring three runs. Sanchez opened the inning with a walk, before advancing to second base. He scored off Rahier's double down the right field line. Jake Domingos doubled to second base, scoring Mejia and pinch runner Kyle Willett.
The Lions added one more run to their 7-5 lead in the top of the 7th inning. Sanchez reached base on a single to left field, before scoring on a single by Rahier to the short stop.
Trailing 8-5, the Hawks attempted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning. Scoring two runs, they fell short by a single run. Bloom opened the inning with a home run to left field. Charnock then doubled to right center field. Cedric Bogun, pinch running for Charnock, scored off a sacrifice flight by Kazcor.
Offensively the Lions impact players were Bryson Rahier, who went 4-5 with three RBI, Tyson Leighton going 3-4, and Eric Sanchez who had two hits and scored three runs on the day,
San Diego Christian was led by Trevor Bloom who was 4-5 with two runs and an RBI and Brian Charnock who had two hits, one scored run and an RBI for the contest.
Pitching for the Blue and Gold, Gabriel Garcia pitched 6.1 innings, giving up five runs, seven hits, with only one earned run. He walked two batters while striking out five earning the win for the game. Reliever James McGeary added an additional 1.2 innings of work giving up three hits and two runs. Darrell Hudson came in to close the final inning, earning a save in the process.
San Diego Christian sent six pitchers to the mound in the match. Starter Marco Solis pitches three innings, giving up four runs and seven hits in his action. Brandon James received the loss for his 2.1 innings surrendering three runs on two hits. Kevin Keefe finished the sixth inning, giving up two hits and striking out two batters. Jeremy Blare pitched the next inning who let two hits and one run occur during his time in command of the ball. Greg Joseph and Dylan Jones pitched the eight inning before Nick Bando finished the game for the Hawks.
The Pride scored eight runs on 13 hits, with two fielding errors. The Hawks scored seven runs on their 10 hits with a single error.
In the nightcap, the Lions were once again victorious in a one run game, winning 5-4. San Diego Christian started strong jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead before the Lions rallied to win.
The Hawks began the bottom of the first inning, scoring three runs taking a big lead. The inning started with a walk to Maddox and Inverso. Bloom reached on a fielder error, before Maddox scored on the throw. Bloom scored on a single through the right side by Kazcor, who would later score on a single from Hernandez.
The Pride responded with four runs in the top of the third inning. After Mejia was walked, Brandon Pesante doubled to left field, scoring Mejia. Leighton singled to second base scoring Pesante. Harman then homered to left field, scoring Leighton in the process.
San Diego Christian tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the third inning. Chanock walked before Mazcor singled to left field. Mike Bando advanced the runner on a sacrifice bunt. Hernandez was walked before Chanock scored on a sacrifice fly from Sweeny.
The Lions scored the winning run in the fourth inning, sealing the 5-4 win for Vanguard. Bryce Arroyo doubled to right field, before scoring on a single from Alex Araiza.
For the contest, the Pride was led by eight hits, scoring their five runs. They surrendered one error in the process. The Hawks scored their four runs on only five hits, finishing the game with no errors.
The offensive leaders for the Blue and Gold were Brandon Pesante, 2-3, with a scored run and an RBI. Kyle Hardman also had a hit, two RBI, and a scored run. Bryce arroyo added a hit and a run for the Lions as well.
The high man for San Diego Christian was Kazcor who was 2-4 with an RBI and a score run. Inverso, Charnock, Sean Sweeny, and Gus Hernandez each added a hit for the Hawks.
On the mound, the Lions started Jason Dovel who pitched two innings, giving up four runs on two hits, walking five batters. Reliever Bryce Reid receives the win on the game, giving up only three hits in his four innings on the mound. Jerry Pena earned a safe for protecting Vanguard's lead in the final inning.
For the Hawks, Austin Minton received the loss, giving up five runs and five hits in his three innings on the mound. Jeremy Blare gave up three hits during his three innings pitched. Brock Heerdt struck out one in his three batters faced, giving up no hits.
The twinbill brings the Vanguard record to 12-10 overall, including 8-4 in GSAC competition. The losses drop San Diego Christian to 4-13 on the season, leaving them 2-8 in conference play.
The Lions will take the field March 16th at 11:00 AM for a double header at Westmont College, before retuning home to wrap up the four game series on March 19th at 12:00 PM.
