COSTA MESA, Calif. – The Lions (15-6) were able to come away with a 3-2 victory against the visiting Corban University Warriors (8-5), as Jose Rojas (JR/Anaheim, CA) sealed it in the bottom of the tenth inning with a walk off single.
Shaniel Riviera (JR/Bronx, NY) took the mound in the mid-week showdown against the visitors from Oregon, and he produced one of his best starts this season. He went six innings while only giving up five hits and two earned runs, while striking out four batters in the process. His steady performance allowed the Lions to stay within striking distance as opposing pitcher Caleb Henry kept the Pride hitters in check.
Corban would strike first in the top of the second after collecting two singles and then having a sacrifice fly send the first runner across the plate. Down 1-0, the Lions would tie things up quickly in the bottom of the third when Brandon Sandoval (SO/Fallbrook, CA) collected a one-out double and advanced to third on a balk. Justin Vega (SO/Chatsworth, CA) would step into the box and send a single down into right field, getting Sandoval in from third and tying things up at 1-1.
Things would be knotted up until the sixth inning, when Corban once again was able to take the lead 2-1 through another sacrifice fly. The Lions would not back down though, and would tie things up again in the eighth inning. Sandoval would again lead things off and get on base with a walk. He would make his way around to third after a fielder's choice ground out and a single from Brock Eissman (SO/San Clemente, CA). This time it would be Rojas who hit a sacrifice fly to left field, getting Sandoval home and tying things up at 2-2.
Both teams were unable to score in the ninth, sending it into extra innings. However, fans in attendance did not have to wait long, as the Lions secured the win with a walk off single from Rojas in the tenth, capping off a good day at the plate going two-for-four with two RBI's. Rojas was able to send Shane Elias-Calles (SO/Mission Viejo, CA) home from third, who was the pinch runner for Michael Flores (SR/Dinuba, CA) after he walked to lead things off. Elias-Calles was able to get to third by way of a throwing error from the Warriors, who tried to throw out the speedy Sandoval on a bunt play.
The Lions will take the field again tomorrow in another non-conference matchup with Grace University out of Omaha. The game will be played in Costa Mesa, with the first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
-GOLDPRIDE-
