Costa Mesa, Calif- The Vanguard Lions rallied to win a thrilling GSAC contest over Concordia University by a score of 5-4 in 14 innings. Today's victory keeps Vanguard's post season hopes alive, which will be put on the line in the regular season finale on Saturday.
"I thought our guys did a tremendous job on grinding out a win against a natural rival Concordia," VU's head baseball coach Ralph Grejada said.
With the game tied 4-4 after nine innings, the Lions and Concordia Eagles headed to extra innings to settle a critical conference game.
After four scoreless extra innings, the Lions had a game winning single in the bottom of the 14th inning, to walk off with the win. Senior Jason Dovel singled down the left field line, scoring Jeremiah Mejia from second base to end the game.
The game featured clutch pitching by both staffs, with limited scoring opportunities for each ball club.
Although Concordia reached the scoreboard first putting two runs up in the first inning, the Blue and Gold answered in the bottom of the inning, notching a run from a single by Bryson Rahier driving home Sean Wilson.
With the score 2-1 entering the bottom of the third inning, the Lions evened the score when Wilson scored again off another single by Rahier.
The score remained knotted at 2-2 entering the top of the 8th when the Eagles added two runs to take the lead. It was highlighted by a triple from Bryan Nicholson and a sacrifice fly from Ryan Sheeks.
The Pride needed two runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to force extra frames, and they did just so on Rahier's third hit and third RBI of the game.Loading the bases with two outs, Jacob Domingos was hit by a pitch to tie the game.
Vanguard senior starter Robert Purpura battled CUI's top GSAC pitcher Blake Harrison, helping pace the Lions for the eventual win.
"Purpura gave us 7 great innings and out dueled Harrison today," Grajeda said.
Purpura lasted seven innings allowing six hits and three runs while striking out 10. Relievers Bryce Reid and Mike Leal combined to allow one run during their command of the mound. Closer Joseph Vega III is awarded the win for blanking the Eagles during six innings, allowing only three hits while striking out five batters.
"Joe Vega was lights out for 6 innings out the pen. He has really started to be the guy we were hoping to see," Grajeda said.
Harrison worked 4.1 innings, surrendering two runs off six hits walking three. Reliever Josh White went 3.2 innings allowing two hits, before Ryan Day allowed two hits, two runs while walking a batter and hitting two batters during the bottom of the 9th. Jake Hovis receives the loss for his 3.1 innings allowing one run and two hits.
Kyle Konicek was 2-for-7 with two runs scored and Nicholson (2-for-5) also scored two runs to lead the Concordia offense as the Eagles drop to 30-17 overall and 19-15 in GSAC.
Wilson and Rahier each had three hits for the Lions with Rahier adding a team-high three RBI for the club.
The Lions (21-25, 15-19 GSAC) travel to Concordia University Saturday, April 30 for a twinbill that will decide the playoff fate of the Pride. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
