Riverside, Calif. - Riverside, Calif- The Vanguard Lions were blanked today GSAC baseball action by the No. 4 Lancers, losing by a score of 7-0. Continuing a grueling 2011 season, the Lions are now 0-2 in their season series against Cal Baptist University with the remaining two games scheduled for this Saturday beginning at 12:00 p.m. in Costa Mesa.
The Lancers did not waste any time reaching the scoreboard, putting up their first run in the bottom of the first inning off an RBI-single by Josh Manzano off Vanguard starting pitcher Corey Kohnke. Cal Baptist added to its lead, placing another run on the board in the bottom of the second inning when Matt Daugherty homered to left field.
Two runs was more than enough for Lancer starter Jesse Arreola who pitched the first 8.1 innings of the CBU shutout. But CBU took complete control in the bottom of the fifth inning, when the Lancers added three more runs to bring their lead to 5-0.
Cal Baptist added a run in the sixth and eighth innings to stretch the gap to 7-0, tallying 14 hits and taking five walks against three Lion pitchers.
Following a heartbreaking loss the day before, the Lions struggled to maintain the pace they have been keeping the last two weeks. VU Head Coach Ralph Grajeda acknowledged that the Lions struggled with fatigue. "That was our 14th game in 19 days, and our guys were exhausted today," commented Grajeda. "I don't know too many programs that can grind out a schedule like we just did."
The rough offensive day for the Pride produced only four hits and two walks with five strikeouts and six runners left on base. Sean Wilson, Ethan Harper, Jeremiah Mejia, and Bryson Rahier were the only batters to record a hit in the contest for the Blue and Gold.
The Lancers were prompted to victory by Matt Daugherty recording three hits in four plate appearances with three RBI. Manzano had two hits, two runs, and two RBI while Kevin Odom and Matt Marnati also had two hits on the day.
Kohnke (0-3) received the loss for allowing five hits and two runs in his 1.2 inning of work. Reliever Bryce Reid gave up three runs and four hits during his 2.2 innings on the mound, before Joseph Vega III pitched the final 3.2 innings and was charged with five hits and two runs.
Arreola (5-3) was awarded the win for his 8.1 shutout innings giving up only four hits and striking out four. Jon Bengard finished the game for the Lancers.
The loss drops the Pride to a record of 17-22 including 13-17 in conference play, while it raises the GSAC-leading Lancers record to 35-10 and 22-8 in the GSAC.
