COSTA MESA, Calif. – Vanguard (23-12, 17-10) rode momentum from Friday's game into the double-header conclusion to the weekend series with William Jessup (5-22, 5-20). The (RV) Lions won the first game 5-2 and ran away with the series finale 11-1.
Game One: Vanguard 5, William Jessup 2
After going scoreless for the first four innings, the Warriors grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth. Vanguard first scored in the bottom of the sixth inning. Justin Vega (SO/Chatsworth, CA) scored on an RBI fielder's choice by Jose Rojas (JR/Anaheim, CA).
The Lions tied the game in the bottom of the seventh as Justin Davis (SR/Los Angeles, CA) scored on a single to center field by Brandon Sandoval (SO/Fallbrook, CA). VU blew the game open with three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Brett Collins doubled down the left field line to score two of them; Kevin Bettencourt (JR/Modesto, CA)'s sacrifice fly plated the final run.
Starter Scott Torrey (SR/Simi Valley, CA) ended with a no-decision and reliever Marshall McKinnon (SR/Los Gatos, CA) (4-1) was awarded the victory for blanking WJU in two innings of work. Torrey struck out seven and allowed three hits in seven frames on the hill.
Brock Eissman (SO/San Clemente, CA), Paul Keating (JR/Oceanside, CA), and Collins all were 2-4 with RBI each in the contest.
Game Two: Vanguard 11, William Jessup 1
Vanguard got on the board first with a run in the bottom of the second inning, before the Warriors tied it up in the top of the next inning. The Blue and Gold tacked two runs on in the bottom of the fifth inning. Vega doubled down the right field line to score Sandoval. Eissman singled through the right side to push Davis home.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Lions put the game away for good with eight runs in the frame. Eissman scored batted in two of the runs with a double to left center. Rojas, the next batter, blasted a two run shot to right field.
Eissman was the offensive king in the nightcap going 2-4 with three RBI. Collins was 2-3 and scored two runs. Vanguard scored 11 runs on only eight hits, being walked four times.
Jordan Moak (SR/Sulphur, LA) kicked off the game on the rubber and left the contest in the third inning with a 1-1 tie. Ryan Heinle (JR/Stockton, CA) tossed 2.2 innings en route to the victory, his second of the year.
The Pride will hit the road the next two weekends for series at Arizona Christian and San Diego Christian, returning home on April 7th to host Cal State University- San Marcos.
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