Costa Mesa, CA---A four-run ninth inning allowed the Vanguard Lions to walk off with a 6-5 victory over No. 10 Biola University in the first game of the double header on Saturday afternoon, before the Eagles responded a 7-3 win in game two to take the GSAC series 3-1. The twinbill capped a two-week stretch that saw the Pride play eight games against NAIA top-ten competition, a stretch that produced only one win for VUSC, though it came in dramatic fashion.
Vanguard starting pitcher Ruben Orosco did not allow a run in the first five innings for the Blue and Gold, and the Lions' offense was able to strike first. In the bottom of the second, VU pushed the first run of the game across the plate on a RBI groundout from Alec Rosales. The score remained the same until the sixth inning, when the visiting Eagles got to Orosco.
A walk and a single put two runners aboard for BU, and the Eagles' Michael Annunziata came through for the visitors, slapping a two-RBI double that gave Biola their first lead of the day. The Eagles added two more in the seventh to make it 4-1, before Vanguard responded with a run in the eighth off an RBI double by Bryce Arroyo to cut the lead to two runs. Yet Biola stretched the lead to 5-2 by scoring one run in the ninth, and it looked as though the Lions would see their losing streak stretched to seven games.
JT Truhett opened the bottom of the ninth with a single to left, before a walk and single loaded the bases for the hosts. After a strikeout handed the Eagles the first out of the frame, Rosales punched a single that scored a run and cut the lead to 5-3. Arroyo strolled to the plate with the bases still juiced and came through in the clutch, drilling a game-tying double to right field. After an intentional walk, the Lions won the game on a squeeze bunt from Eric Sanchez that scored Rosales and gave the Pride their first conference victory.
Orosco earned the win for VUSC, while J.T. Mickelson was tagged with the loss for Biola.
Game two started and ended in favor of the Eagles, who put a three-spot on the board in the top of the first inning off Vanguard starter Scott Simmons. Vanguard scored in the first thanks to a wild pitch from BU's Javier Martinez to make it 3-1, but BU answered with another run in the second. Trailing by three runs in the second, the Lions were able to push two runs across on RBI from Adonis Tountas and Brandon Young, but stranded three runners on base when the frame ended.
With Biola nursing a one-run lead, the Blue and Gold had chances to tie the contest, putting four runners into scoring position. Yet the Pride could not convert on any of the opportunities, and BU added three runs in the final two frames for the final score.
Simmons was handed the loss for VUSC, while Martinez earned the victory for Biola (12-13, 6-6 GSAC). The Pride outhit the Eagles 9-7 in game two, but it was Biola who emerged with the series victory after taking three of four from Vanguard this week.
Arroyo paced the hosts at the plate, going 4-8 with three RBI. Truhett finished 5-8 from the dish for the Blue and Gold, while Tountas recorded three hits.
Vanguard, 9-9 overall this season and 1-7 in GSAC play, now faces another tough test next week. The Lions face off against No. 17 Fresno Pacific, playing single games Thursday and Friday in Fresno. VUSC will wrap up the series by hosting a double-header on Saturday against the Sunbirds, who are 4-8 in GSAC action. For more information, check out www.gsacsports.org.
