SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - The Lions (36-20) faced two familiar foes today in Cal State San Marcos (36-16) and GSAC Champion The Master's College who holds a 42-13 record. Vanguard defeated CSUSM 6-4 in the opening game today, before coming back in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat TMC 8-7.
Vanguard 6, Cal State San Marcos 4
The Lions kicked off the day with a two run shot from Jose Rojas (JR/Anaheim, CA) to give them a lead they would never squander. Cal State San Marcos cut in to the advantage early, as they ended the opening frame with a 2-1 score.
Vanguard scored single runs in both the third and fourth innings. The Cougars countered back with another run in the bottom of the fourth frame, leaving the Blue and Gold with a 4-2 dominance.
CSUSM made things really interesting as they finished the sixth inning with the score being 5-4. The Lions added an insurance run in the top of the eighth.
Sean Isaac (JR/Redondo Beach, CA) (9-5) earned the win for tossing 7.1 innings and allowing only three earned runs on six hits, also striking out eight batters. Marshall McKinnon (SR/Los Gatos, CA) picks up his fifth save this season for setting the final five outs.
Jose Rojas was 2-3 at the plate including two RBI and three scored runs. Paul Keating (JR/Oceanside, CA) was 2-5 with an RBI and David Stone (SR/Huntington Beach, CA) was 2-4 with a run and an RBI.
Vanguard 8, The Master's College 7
The Mustangs had held VU in check for most of the year, coming out on top more times than not. This game started in similar fashion as the Pride was down 2-0 within the first two innings. TMC built a larger lead and held a 4-0 advantage entering the bottom of the sixth inning.
Vanguard got right back in the thick of things by plating three runs. Three straight singles loaded the bases and a double by Taylor McKnight (SR/Mission Viejo, CA) down left line scored two runs. The third run was the result of an RBI ground out by Justin Davis (SR/Los Angeles, CA).
The Blue and Gold knotted things up at 4-4 in their next at bat as Rojas drilled a double to center field.
It looks like the Lions were holding their own against the top seeded Mustangs. Then in one inning, the wheels appeared to fall off. TMC scored three runs off two hits and an error in the top of the final inning.
But, Vanguard was not scared. They stared down the conference's top dog and came out on top. Three straight singles loaded the bases with one out already punched by the lead off hitter. Then, an abnormal thing happened as The Master's College intentionally walked Rojas to scored a run and keep the bases loaded. Stone came up and hit a single to left field that flew just past the third basemen's glove.Brett Collins came to the plate and left a hero. He drove in the final two runs as the ball was kicked around the feet of the short stop.
At the plate, Collins was king going 4-5 including two RBI and a scored run. Stone, Rojas, Brock Eissman (SO/San Clemente, CA), and Brandon Sandoval (SO/Fallbrook, CA) all had two hits in the game as well.
On the hill, Scott Torrey (SR/Simi Valley, CA) pitched 8.2 innings and allowed seven runs on eight hits. Only four of the runs were earned and he struck out six batters. Michael Ostrea (JR/Buena Park, CA) (2-1) picks up the win as he got the final out of the top of the ninth inning.
The Lions will play the University of British Columbia on day two of the NAIA Opening Round. After the first day of competition, they are the only two teams to remain undefeated.
-GOLD PRIDE-
