Costa Mesa, Calif - Struggling to find their offensive firepower, the Vanguard Lions dropped the first game of a GSAC twinbill 1-3. The bats came alive in the second game, before holding off a late Warriors' rally to defeat Westmont 5-4.
In the first matchup, a pitcher's duel occurred until the top of the fifth inning when the Warriors broke through the barrier, scoring the game's first run. Philip Prickett singled to center field and was advanced by an error and a sacrifice fly from Brent Fukushima. Westmont added to its lead in the eighth inning, scoring an additional two runs. The scoring started with an RBI single to center field by Torin Shaikh, scoring Colten Christianson, who reached base on a left side single. Prickett singled to right field, scoring pinch runner Nick Gonzalez.
The Pride's only score in the first game came in the bottom of the eighth inning. Kyle Hardman doubled to right center field, before advancing on a fly ball from Mario Romero and scoring on a sacrifice fly by Jason Dovel. In the contest, the Warriors scored three runs on 11 hits with only a single error. The Lions managed four hits resulting in one run, while struggling with three errors.
The Lions were highlighted by Hardman with one hit and a run. Jacob Domingos, Tyson Leighton, and Jeremiah Mejia added a hit for the home squad. The Warriors were led by Prickett with two hits, one RBI, and one scored run. Christianson had two hits and one run on the day, while Jordan Bottenfield also had two hits. Westmont pitcher Chris Plance pitched all nine innings, giving up one run on four hits. He struck out eight batters and only walked one hitter resulting in the win. Vanguard starter Gabriel Garcia received the loss, pitching 7.2 innings, allowing three runs on nine hits, while striking out three batters and walking one. Reliever Joseph Vega III tossed 1.1 innings, allowing two hits, striking out two batters and walking one. In the second frame of the double header, the offensive firepower of both teams was on full display. The Lions jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead before the Westmont Warriors rallied back. The first inning featured four Lion runs, started off by a single from Mejia. Leighton's single to center field scored Mejia and Leighton came home on a double to center field by Dovel. Hardman's single down the left field line plated Dovel, and Hardman padded the score to 4-0 on a single by Bryson Rahier. The 4-0 lead held until the top of the fifth inning, when the Warriors cracked the scoreboard. Brandon Allen scored on a single from JJ Turbin, after reaching base on a single to right field, cutting VU's lead to 4-1. The Lions scored their final run of the contest in the bottom of the fifth inning on a right field blast from Rahier.
Westmont attempted a comeback in the top of the sixth inning, scoring three runs to bring the score to 5-4. Coby Cress singled to start the rally and scored off a double Christianson to right center. Christianson scored on a bases-loaded double play. Shaikh scored Westmont's fourth and final run on a pinch-hit RBI single from Trevor Christianson. The offense for the Pride was headlined by Bryson Rahier with two hits, two RBI, and one run. Leighton had three hits, one RBI, and one run, while Brandon Pesante added two hits. The second game leader for the Warriors was Colten Christianson, who had three hits, one RBI, and one run. Fukushima also has three hits, while Turbin, Shaikn, and Brandon Allen all had hits on the day. Westmont starter Mitch Crocker lasted only 0.2 innings, giving up four runs off six hits. Reliever Michael Kwan pitched the next 4.1 innings allowing four hits and one run, striking out four and walking three. Pete McCarthy took care of the final inning, striking out one of the three batters he faced.
The starting and winning pitcher for the Blue and Gold was
Mike Leal, who pitched 3.2 innings, giving up four hits before leaving the game.
James McGeary came in to relieve and contributed 1.1 innings of work, giving up four runs off five hits.
Bryce Reid walked one batter during his time on the mound and
Jerry Pena pitched the final two innings, giving up only two hits.
After today's double header, the Lions record stands at 13-13 overall, and 9-7 in conference play. The split twinbill brings the Westmont Warriors' standing at 12-15 for the season, with a GSAC record of 5-11.
The Blue and Gold will next take the field on March 23 at 3:00 PM for the first of a four-game series against Biola University.