COSTA MESA, Calif. – After dropping a tough match in the first game of the series, the Lions (9-4, 6-3) were able to rebound and take the final two games from the visiting Arizona Christian Firestorm (3-6, 3-6). After yesterday's game, where the Lions could not find their bats, they responded with much-needed firepower in a close 7-6 win in the first game, and went on to win the second game behind strong pitching with a 2-0 victory.
Game One Vanguard 7, Arizona Christian 6:
The first game of the day saw Scott Torrey (SR/Simi Valley, CA) take the mound, looking to get more run support than they day before. He would not have to wait long, as the Lions hitters were able to take a run in each of the first three innings to take an early 3-1 year. In the first inning it was Brock Eissman (SO/San Clemente, CA) that was able to send a sacrifice fly to deep left field, sending leadoff man Brandon Sandoval (SO/Fallbrook, CA) home, and tying things up after the Firestorm scored a run of their own in the top of the inning.
The Lions would not stop there though, as in the second they were able to have another run cross the plate when David Stone (SR/Huntington Beach, CA) launched a solo home run over the left field fence, giving Vanguard the lead. Stone would go on to have quite the day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. They would extend the lead when Sandoval would again find his way home after Eissman hit into a fielders choice double play. Stone would go on to have quite the day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Vanguard would be blanked in the next three innings, but a big play from Michael Flores (SR/Dinuba, CA) would change that in the seventh inning. Flores stepped in to pinch hit with Stone and Taylor McKnight (SR/Mission Viejo, CA) on base, and with a powerful swing sent a pitch over the right field line for the three-run home run, giving the Lions a 6-3 lead. That would be an important moment for the Lions, as the Firestorm came out hot in the eighth inning, knocking in three runs of their own and tying the game at six.
The tie game would be short lived, as Eissman started things off in the bottom of the inning with a lead-off double and was sent home only two batters later when Brett Collins got a hold of a pitch for a single into center field. From there Sam Frakes (SR/Eagle Rock, CA) took over and retired the side garnering the save, and giving Christian Sheehan (SO/Redondo Beach, CA) the win despite only pitching .1 innings.
Game Two Vanguard 2, Arizona Christian 0:
The second game of the doubleheader saw both teams struggling to find hits, but with Lions starter Jordan Moak (SR/Sulphur, LA) pitching seven innings of shut out ball, giving up only three hits and striking out seven batters in the process; not much offense was needed to secure the win.
Justin Davis (SR/Los Angeles, CA) would get things started in the third inning after leading off with a walk. He would then find himself in scoring position when he used his speed to steal second, setting up his teammates to get him across the plate. Brandon Sandoval would be the man to get the job done as he made contact and sent the ball into left field for the two-out RBI double, giving Vanguard the 1-0 lead.
The Lions would add an insurance run in the next inning when shortstop Jose Rojas (JR/Anaheim, CA) hit a solo home run over the right field fence. That would be all the support Moak needed, as he shut down and shut out the Firestorm, giving him and the Lions an important GSAC win.
Vanguard will hit the road for their next game in a mid-week clash against Cal State San Marcos. The February 10th game is scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. first pitch on the campus of Cal State San Marcos.
-GOLDPRIDE-
