LA MIRADA, Calif. – Vanguard (5-1, 2-1 GSAC) came out strong in the first game of the day behind strong pitching winning 9-7, but was unable to complete the sweep as they fell to Biola (2-2, 1-2) in the second game 7-6. The Lions were still able to win the series and seem primed for a promising season.
Game One: Vanguard 9, Biola 7
The first game between the Lions and the Eagles started out as a pitchers duel between starters Scott Torrey (SR/Simi Valley, CA) and Eric Diomartich of Biola. The two southpaws battled toe to toe for most of the day as they were dealing their best stuff from the mound and keeping the hitters at bay. However, the Lions were able to strike first as Paul Keating (JR/Oceanside, CA) led off the fourth inning by launching a fly ball into right field that just stayed fair, resulting in a triple to lead things off for the Lions. He would take advantage of his position on the bases, scoring on a wild pitch and giving the Lions a lead that they would not give up.
Vanguard would not be able to get another run off of Diomartich, and would have to wait until the Eagles relievers came in before scoring again. When they did score though, they scored in bunches, and it all started with an offensive outburst in the seventh and eighth innings. Michael Flores (SR/Dinuba, CA) would get things started when he smashed a ball down the right field line and stretched it out for a double. Justin Davis (SR/Los Angeles, CA) would be the man to step up and hit a double into left center, getting pinch runner David Stone (SR/Huntington Beach, CA) in for the run. The Lions were not done yet, as Brandon Sandoval (SO/Fallbrook, CA) was able to earn an RBI single by sending Davis home from second just two batters later.
Biola would respond in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run from Andrew Frank, but the Lions immediately responded in the top of the eighth with four runs. Stone's double sent Taylor McKnight (SR/Mission Viejo, CA) and Jose Rojas (JR/Anaheim, CA) in for the score, and Stone was able to make it back home when Sandoval once again delivered a clutch hit, sending both Stone and Brock Eissman (SO/San Clemente, CA) in for the runs. Sandoval had a big game at the plate with two hits and three RBI's. Vanguard continued to pour on runs in the ninth when Rojas hit a two-run home run to right center. Both Rojas and Stone had two RBI's in this game, and the lead they helped built up would be key as Biola tried to rally in the bottom of the ninth.
Despite the 9-1 disadvantage, Biola mixed in both power and small ball to make things close, as they chipped away at the lead late on. After a few hits and a throwing error, the Eagles found themselves only down 9-4, and then a Rob Groeschell three-run home run made things even more interesting bringing the Eagles within two. However, the Lions would not be stopped in this game, as Marshall McKinnon (SR/Los Gatos, CA) came in to preserve the win.
Torrey (1-0) was able to pick up the win despite the late drama, and had himself a great day on the mound pitching seven innings with six strikeouts, and only allowing one earned run on five hits.
Game Two:vanguard 6, Biola 7
The second game of the doubleheader was a much different story, as both starting pitchers struggled to find their location early on. The Lions sent out Shaniel Rivera to close out the series, but the feisty Eagles would not go away quietly and scored five runs in the first two innings. Vanguard was able to keep things close though, as they were actually the team to strike first as Sandoval got things started by crossing home from third after Bret Collins (SR/Manhattan Beach, CA) grounded out to second base.
Biola was able to respond in the bottom of the first with two runs after a Jeremy Barth RBI and a Rawley Hughes sacrifice fly. Their lead would not last long though as the Lions struck back in the top of the second as Stone hit a two-run bomb over the left field fence, sending Justin Vega (SO/Chatsworth, CA) and himself home. The scoring for that inning would continue, as Eissman doubled to left center, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and then was sent home when Kevin Bettencourt (JR/Modesto, CA) grounded out on the sacrifice hit. Not to be outdone, the Eagles scored three runs of their own in the bottom of the second with a Tucie Shelp 3 RBI double that would put the Lions back down 4-5.
After the crazy first two innings, things began to settle down and the relievers for both teams began to work. Ryan Heinle (JR/Stockton, CA) would shut down the Eagles hitters for the next 3.2 innings, striking out three, and Matt Silberman (JR/Murrieta, CA) was able to come on to close out the sixth. Behind the solid pitching, Vanguard was able to tie things up with a Collins solo home run to right center in the fifth. Collins had two hits in the game with two RBI's and one run scored.
Vanguard would take the lead in the seventh, and final, inning after some good base running from the pinch runner Davis. Davis was able to advance to third after a steal and a throwing error. Keating would then get Davis home through a sacrifice fly to center field, and it looked like the Lions were going to have a good chance at the sweep, leading 6-5 going into the final three outs. That would not be the case though as Biola staged a comeback, tying things up with a Jimmy Gallarda RBI double down the left field line. Two straight walked batters would load the bases for the Eagles and Andrew Smith would send Gallarda home after a single through the left side, giving them the win.
The Lions will look to improve their record on January 30 and 31, as they travel to William Jessup for a three game conference series. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00pm on January 30, and 11:00am for the January 31 double header.
-GOLDPRIDE-
