SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - The Lions (37-20) moved one step closer to reaching the NAIA World Series as they knocked off the University of British Columbia. UBC, the third seed in the tournament, is now 39-18 on the season.
Fresh off an exhilarating comeback victory the day before, the Lions followed suit today. This time, they didn't wait longer than the bottom of the first inning.
The University of British Columbia scored two early runs with a single that slipped through the gap near left field. Vanguard fired right back and blew the game open with six runs in the bottom of the first inning. Three runs came courtesy of a three run bomb by Brock Eissman (SO/San Clemente, CA).
Not leaving anything to chance, the Blue and Gold added two more insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Taylor McKnight (SR/Mission Viejo, CA) was 3-4 at the plate including two RBI and two runs scored. Eissman (1-4 with a scored run), Jose Rojas (JR/Anaheim, CA) (2-4 and a score), and Brett Collins (2-3 as well as an RBI and two scored runs).
Jordan Moak (SR/Sulphur, LA) (5-4) threw eight innings allowing only two runs on five hits. Michael Ostrea (JR/Buena Park, CA) came in for relief and got the final three outs.
The Lions will play tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. in the Bracket Championship game against a team to be determined by today's 3 p.m. and tomorrow's 12:00 p.m. contests.
-GOLD PRIDE-
