COSTA MESA, Calif. – The Lions (16-6) followed up the victory from the day before with another win, this time by the score of 8-4 against the visiting Grace University Royals (2-4). Paul Keating (JR/Oceanside, CA) and Brock Eissman (SO/San Clemente, CA) both had three RBI's in the game, helping to carry the team to another non-conference win.
Ryan Heinle (JR/Stockton, CA) got the start for the Lions on the mound, and turned in a five inning performance while only allowing four hits, one earned run, and striking out four Royals batters. Four other Lions pitchers were able to help provide relief from the bullpen as Alex Camacho (FR/Stockton,CA), Kurt Gairing (FR/Corona, CA), Marshall McKinnon (SR/Los Gatos, CA), and Sam Frakes (SR/Eagle Rock, CA) were called upon to close things out and give Heinle the win.
Vanguard would strike early in this one, and found themselves with an early 3-0 lead after two innings. As has been the case for most of the season, Brandon Sandoval (SO/Fallbrook, CA) would get things going in the first inning with a lead-off single and a stolen base, and Keating would send him home with a double down the left field line. The second inning provided even more run support for Heinle, as Sandoval would start things off and advanced to second after a throwing error from the Royals. He would then steal third base and then advance home after another throwing error from the visitors, giving the Lions the 2-0 lead. Keating would then walk and advance to third after an Eissman single. He would cross the plate after another throwing error, giving the Lions the 3-0 lead.
Grace closed the gap in the third inning with a run of their own to bring it to 3-1, but the Lions would find themselves extending the lead thanks to Eissman. With two outs Sandoval would once again get on base with a walk and proceed to steal second. Keating was then hit by a pitch, and Eissman would step up and hit the three-run home run into right field, his fourth home run of the season, giving the Lions the commanding 6-1 lead.
The Royals were able to score a run in each of the final three innings and pulled it to 6-3 at one point, but could not close the gap any further as the Lions closed it out in the eighth inning. Keating would seal it when he collected a double down the left field line, sending Sam Carillo and Brett Collins home. Keating went three-for-three at the plate with two runs, three RBI's and one walk.
The Lions will return to GSAC play this weekend when they host an important series against conference leaders Concordia University. The first game will be played on Friday at 2:00pm and a double header is scheduled for Saturday starting at 11:00am.
-GOLDPRIDE-
