Costa Mesa, Calif- Vanguard defeated Cal State San Marcos 6-4 in the first part of a three-game non-conference series, highlighted by Brandon Young's perfect day at the plate.
With two outs and the bases loaded, Bryce Arroyo scored on a wild pitch giving the Lions an insurance run in the eighth inning to lead 6-4. The Cougars(9-3)gave their best rally attempt in the top of the ninth inning, but came up short having the bases loaded but did not scoring any runs.
Young was a perfect 3-3 scoring two runs and driving in a run of his own, to pace the Pride. Nikko Tauntas and David Kiriakos both went 2-4, with Kiriakos driving in two runs.
Jeremy Baum went 3-3 on the day including a scored run to lead the way for the Cougars.
Starting pitcher J.R. Bromberg (1-1) went six innings, allowing four runs on eight hits. Gabe Garcia (2-1) earned his second win of the season for his three innings of relief work. He allowed only two hits and struck out four batters.
The Cougars hit the scoreboard first in the top of the second inning. Their first two runs were scored on an RBI single to left field by Kenny Belzer.
Vanguard(6-2) promptly responded taking the lead 3-2 in the bottom of the second. Kyle Willet scored the first run for Vanguard off an RBI sacrifice fly to left field by Arroyo. Mike Costello scored on a left-center field single by Young. Tountas scored the third run of the inning for the Lions with a single from Kiriakos.
San Marcos tied the game 3-3 in the top of the third inning. Trent Jemmett singled to left field to begin the inning and later scored on a wild pitch.
Vanguard answered back as Young scored on a double down the left line by Kiriakos, giving the Lions a 4-3 lead after the fourth inning.
Entering the seventh inning, the game was tied 4-4. The Cougars had evened the score in the sixth inning on a triple by Kyle Seccani down the right field line scoring Belzer.
The Blue and Gold scored the game winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning, resulting from an Alec Rosales single through the left side scoring Young.
Vanguard next hits the diamond tomorrow when the Lions travel down to Cal State San Marcos to take on the Cougars in a double header starting at 11:00 a.m.
