COSTA MESA, Calif. – Coming off of a tough away series last week, The Lions (19-11, 13-9) returned home and came from behind to defeat the visiting Biola University Eagles (10-16, 8-14), by a score of 5-3.
Both teams sent their aces to the mound for the first game of the three game series, with the Lions Sean Isaac (SO/Redondo Beach, CA) facing off against Biola lefty Garrett Picha. Both pitchers held the batters scoreless through three innings, but it was the visiting Eagles that got on the board first, scoring two runs in the fourth and one run in the fifth, giving them the 3-0 lead.
The Lions would not be shut out much longer though, as they responded in the bottom of the fifth inning with two runs of their own. Brock Eissman (SO/San Clemente, CA) would get things started with a double down the left field line, and the next batter, Kevin Bettencourt (JR/Modesto, CA), would send him home with a single into right field. Justin Davis (SR/Los Angeles, CA) would come in to pinch run for Bettencourt and would advance home from second when Justin Vega (SO/Chatsworth, CA) singled into center field, making it 3-2, still in favor of the visitors.
Isaac would shut out the Eagles batter through the next two innings, and finished his day with seven innings pitched; only giving up five hits while striking out six batters. The Lions would reward Isaac with two more runs in the seventh inning when Eissman again led things off with an extra base hit, this time a triple into left field. Bettencourt would again send Eissman home with a nice bunt play, tying things up a 3-3. With Davis pinch running, Brandon Sandoval (SO/Fallbrook, CA) would come in and lay down a sacrifice bunt, sending Davis into scoring position at second. Vega would once again single, this time through the left side, sending Davis home and giving the Lions the 4-3 lead, and giving Isaac the opportunity for the win.
The Lions would add an insurance run in the eighth inning when Michael Flores (SR/Dinuba, CA) slapped a grounder to the visiting shortstop and a throwing error allowed Brett Collins to score from second, giving the Lions the 5-3 lead. The relief pitchers for the Lions came in and shut out the Eagles through the final two innings, with Christian Sheehan (SO/Redondo Beach, CA), Michael Jordan (JR/Murrieta, CA), and Sam Frakes (SR/Eagle Rock, CA) combining in that effort. Frakes earned the save, his fifth of the year, and Isaac improved his record to 4-2 with the winning effort.
The Lions will return home to complete the series with tomorrow's double header against the Eagles. The first pitch is scheduled for 11:00am in Costa Mesa.
-GOLDPRIDE-
