COSTA MESA, Calif. – In a battle between two of the top teams in the conference, the visiting The Master's College Mustangs edged the Lions in a tight contest, winning by a score of 3-2. The Lions actually outhit the Mustangs by a total of 10-6, but could not outscore the 8th ranked Mustangs. With the loss the Lions fall to 33-17 on the season with a 26-14 GSAC record, while the Mustangs improve to 39-9 on the year with a 32-8 record.

The Master's came into the series with plenty to play for, looking to clinch the Golden State Athletic Conference regular season title, but the Lions are hoping to play the role of spoiler, and nearly took the first game of the series. Sean Isaac (JR/Redondo Beach, CA) got the call on the mound, and delivered another solid performance, lasting six innings, striking out five batters and only allowing four hits and two earned runs. However, the Master's had an equally impressive performance from their ace, Jason Karkenny, who lasted eight innings and limited the Lions to two runs.

The Mustangs got on the board first with two runs in the second inning, one of which was unearned due to a fielding error from the Lions. That error would prove costly as it ended up being the difference in the game. The Lions were able to cut the lead down in the fifth inning though when Paul Keating (JR/Oceanside, CA) started things off with a double into left field. He managed to find himself on third base after a wild pitch from Karkenny, and Bret Collins (SR/Manhattan Beach, CA) would send him home after a single, making it 2-1.

In the next inning the Mustangs would respond to take back their two-run lead after two straight doubles, making it 3-1. Not going out without a fight, the Lions, specifically Jose Rojas (JR/Anaheim, CA), would respond with a solo homerun into right center to bring it back to 3-2. Rojas had himself a good game at the plate, going three-for-four, but unfortunately the other Lions batters could not match his performance, and the Lions did not muster up any runs after his homerun, dropping the close game 3-2.

The Lions still have a chance to make things interesting with tomorrow's double header against the Mustangs, and could shake things up in the conference standings. It will also be the final regular-season home series for the twelve seniors on the team. The first pitch is scheduled for Noon at VU diamond.

-GOLDPRIDE-