SANTA BARBARA, Calif. --- With a tight race in the GSAC, Vanguard (13-5, 10-3) created separation from Westmont (13-4, 8-4) as the Lions shut out the Warriors, 4-0.

Sean Isaac (SO/Redondo Beach, CA) improved to 3-1 on the season with his five and a third inning outing that saw him pitch a no-hitter through five. Despite giving up no runs and striking out four, Isaac walked six batters. To pair with Isaac in the combined shutout, senior Marshall McKinnon (SR/Los Gatos, CA) dealt three and two thirds innings. McKinnon earned his second save of the season, allowing only one hit and shut down 12 of the 13 batters he faced.

Westmont threatened in the bottom of the third inning when Isaac walked two Warrior batters. Westmont first baseman Alex Bush was then hit by pitch to load up the bases. With three on and two out, Isaac struck out center fielder William Barring swinging to get out of the jam and end the inning.

Scoreless through five innings, Brock Eissman (SO/San Clemente, CA) got Vanguard on the board in the sixth when he hit an RBI single to bring home Brandon Sandoval (SO/Fallbrook, CA). The run would be marked an unearned run as Sandoval reached base by an error by Westmont third baseman Graylin Derke. Lions lead 1-0.

The Lions' bats came alive in the seventh as The Pride came knocking again. Following a Paul Keating (JR/Oceanside, CA) double, Kevin Bettencourt (JR/Modesto, CA) hit an RBI single to left field.  Pinch runner Justin Davis (SR/Los Angeles, CA) scored a run on an RBI groundout by Sandoval. Justin Vega (SO/Chatsworth, CA) followed with a single to bring home Dylan Ramie (SO/Ewa Beach, HI). Lions would gain a four run lead and win the game, 4-0.

The Lions are currently third in the GSAC and have a chance to earn the top spot following tomorrow's conclusion of the road series. Vanguard will face Westmont in a doubleheader Saturday, February 21. The first game will begin at 11:00 a.m.