Costa Mesa, Calif. - The Vanguard University Lions and the San Diego Christian Hawks began a four game series, with each team pocketing a win in today's twin bill featuring two nine-inning contests. The Hawks prevailed in the first game winning 5-4, leaving the Lions to respond in the second game taking it 7-2.
San Diego struck first, putting up two scores in the second and third innings of game one. The first run came in the top of the second inning. Nick Bando singled to the short stop. His pinch runner, Michael Garcia, advanced to second base on a wild pitch, before reaching third base on a Victor Martinez single. He scored on a Sean Sweeny single into left field.
The second score for the Hawks arrived in the third inning, as Ryan Inverso started it off with a single down the right field line. After stealing second, Inverso was knocked home on a single to left field by David Kazcor.
The Lions remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning, when they tied the game 2-2. To begin the inning,
Jacob Domingos singled to the short stop. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt to the third basemen by
Jason Dovel. Senior
Tyson Leighton then launched a right field homerun to score both runs for the Lions.
The Blue and Gold continued their scoring in the bottom of the fifth, adding another run taking the lead for the first time in the contest.
Jeremiah Mejia singled to right-center field. He advanced to second base on a wild pitch, before Domingos batted an RBI single to left center.
The Hawks would tie the game at 3-3 in the next inning, off a RBI single by Sweeny. To open the inning, Trevor Bloom walked. Kazcor would reach base on a fielder's choice as Bloom was out at second. After Mike Bando was walked, it left runners on first and second. Kazcor advanced to third base on a wild pitch before scoring on a single from Sweeny.
In the seventh inning, San Diego Christian added two more runs to take a 5-3 lead. Inverso singled on a bunt and stole second base. Bloom was walked, before both runners scored on Mike Bando's double down the left field line.
The Lions attempted a comeback in the eighth inning, but only managed to score one run. The score came off
Kyle Hardman's triple to right center.
Bryce Arroyo had a sacrifice grounder to the short stop to score the run.
Lions starting pitcher
Corey Kohnke went 5.2 innings, giving up three runs on eight hits. He walked two and struck out three on the day. Reliever
James McGeary earned the loss for this outing. In his 2.1 innings of action he gave up the final two runs of the contest, walking three and striking out two in the process. Reliever
Joshua Wells came in to wrap up the final inning, giving up one hit.
The Hawks starting pitcher Adair Robles pitched six innings, managing to give up three runs on five hits. He walked six and struck out six batters during his time on the mound. Reliever Jeremy Blare received the win for his three innings of work. He gave up a single run, two hits, and struck out one batter.
The offense for the Pride was spearheaded by Leighton's home run shot, leading the team with two RBI on the game. Domingos went 2-5 in the contest, with one RBI. As a team the Lions had seven hits, also striking out seven times while reaching base on walks six times.
San Diego Christian was led by Kazcor who was 3-5 in game one, with an RBI. Mike Bando had one hit and an RBI, while Sweeny had two hits and two RBI for the game. Victor Martinez and Inverso both contributed two hits each. As a team, the Hawks had 11 hits, striking out eight times, but reaching with a base on balls six times.
In the second game, the Lions offense came out firing, putting up seven runs on 10 hits. The Hawks also had 10 hits, but only managed two runs.
San Diego Christian once again scored first, putting up a single run in the second inning. After Inverso doubled to right field, he was later driven home on a Cuttone double.
Vanguard rallied in the bottom half of that inning, putting up four runs to take the lead. The inning began with a walk to Dovel and Hardman then singled to the third baseman. The next batter, Mario Romero, was hit by the pitch, loading the bases. Wilson singled through the left side, scoring Dovel. Mejia then doubled to left-center scoring three runs. The Lions ended the inning with a 4-1 lead.
The score remained 4-1 until the bottom of the fifth when the Lions added an additional two runs. The inning began with a walk to Mejia. He advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Eric Sanchez. Leighton had an RBI single, scoring Mejia. After singles by Dovel and Domingos, Hardman was hit by the pitch before Romero had an RBI walk, scoring Domingos.
The 6-1 lead remained until the top of the seventh inning, when the hawks put up another run. Bloom was walked to begin the inning. He advanced to second on a wild pitch, before scoring on a Mike Bando single to left field.
The Lions scored the final run of the game, beginning with a single to left field by Dovel. He was sprinted home on a double by Hardman.
For the Hawks, Maddox, Gus Hernandez, and Casey Lee both had two hits, while Bloom, Inverso, M. Bando, and Cuttone had one each. Bando And Cuttone had the only RBI's for the game.
The Lions offense was led by four players who had two hits on the game. Dovel scored two runs, Domingos added one run, while Wilson and Hardman added one run and an RBI each. Mejia rounded out the offense with three RBI, one hit and one run scored.
San Diego Christian starting pitcher Brock Heerdt went 4.2 innings, giving up seven hits which led to six runs, and receiving the loss on the day. Reliever Kevin Keefe pitched 2.1 innings, resulting in one run on two hits. Austin Minton pitched the last inning giving up a single hit.
The Blue and Gold put Tucker Woods out on the mound for the nightcap. He lasted five innings and recorded the win, allowing seven hits but only one run. Reliever Bryce Reid pitched the final four innings, giving up 3 hits and one run, walking four in the process.
After today's double header, the Lions are posting a record of 10-10 and 6-4 in GSAC. The split in the twin bill brought the San Diego Christian Hawks record to 4-11 on the year, 2-6 in conference play.
The Lions will meet the Hawks again this Saturday, March 12th for a double header to wrap up the four-game set. The start time is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at San Diego Christian.
