SAN DIEGO, Calif. - For the second time in as many games, Vanguard upset a ranked opponent in extra innings to extend its season. This time, the Lions' 11-inning, 1-0 victory over No. 12 The Master's College boosted VU into the winner's bracket of the Golden State Athletic Conference tournament, earning The Pride the right to challenge top-seeded GSAC Champion and tournament host San Diego Christian in the second round.
Vanguard improves to 32-19 overall with the win and will play Friday at noon on the Grossmont College Field.
Eddie Rivera (SR/Anaheim, CA), VU's All-GSAC starter, made the victory possible, holding the Mustangs scoreless in nine phenomenal innings of work. TMC simply could not figure out Rivera, as he gave up just three hits on the day, while striking out seven. Rivera has 18 strikeouts in his last two starts and boasts a team-leading 85 K's on the season.
"I felt really good on the mound," Rivera said. "Our defense was on today and we played together as a team to hold them from scoring. The late run was the spark that we were looking for to end the game, and we did just that. It felt amazing winning with my brothers today."
Relieving Rivera in the tenth was Roberto Johnson (FR/San Marcos, CA). Johnson came in with nerves of steel and got the job done, tossing two innings without giving up a knock before picking up the combined-shutout win for the Lions.
Thursday's contest was a defensive battle, as just eight collective hits were recorded by the Lions and Mustangs through the first nine innings of play.
In the eleventh and final frame, however, The Pride nearly matched TMC's full game of production, when Thomas Mobley (SR/Anaheim, CA) hit a single to center with one out on the board to set the stage for fellow senior John Schwer (SR/Burbank, CA), who brought in the game-winning run with a double on a full count.
Schwer has served as the Blue and Gold's hero in back-to-back contests.
"Getting that hit was a great feeling," Schwer said. "It's important to win the first game in these types of tournaments and I'm glad I could help the team come out on top today. Eddie pitched phenomenally and showed why he was voted First Team All-GSAC. Our pitching and defense has been unreal lately; we're feeling good about continuing into the weekend."
Mobley and Schwer tallied two knocks apiece in the win. Bret Collins (JR/Manhattan Beach, CA), John Collins (SR/Fallbrook, CA) and Greg Younger (SR/Bakersfield, CA) compiled the Lions' remaining hits on the day.
For more information on the 2014 GSAC Baseball Tournament, please visit:
http://www.gsacsports.org/f/Championships_2013-14/2014_Baseball_Tournament.php
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