LA MIRADA, Calif. - The Lions ended their three game non-conference road series by dominating the Eagles in double-header action. Vanguard (7-1) put up enough home runs to make it look like a home run derby at an All Star Game as Biola (3-5) could not keep up and was blown out in the first game by the score of 17-1 and finished off the nightcap in 7-2 fashion.
Game One: Vanguard 17, Biola 1
Ryan Heinle (SR/Stockton, CA) started the first game off as the pitcher for the Pride and through six innings, he compiled three strikeouts. Jose Rojas (SR/Anaheim, CA) led the offensive onslaught for the day with three hits, three RBIs and one run in the first game. He was followed up with an impressive performance from Justin Vega (JR/Chatsworth, CA), Brock Eissman (JR/San Clemente, CA), and Sam Neufeld (FR/Indio, CA). They were helped along by six costly errors that committed by the Eagles.
"Another great team win today. The bats came out on fire again, putting up a 6 spot in the top of the first inning," Heinle exclaimed. "As a starter, when your offense jumps out to a quick lead, it makes my job a lot easier. I just have to go out there, make pitches and let the defense work behind me."
The Blue and Gold started hitting early and often with a triple early in the first inning by Brandon Sandoval (JR/Fallbrook, CA) that was immediately followed with a double by Vega down the line to bring him home and put the Lions up early. This scored was the first of what would be six runs that would be scored just in the first inning alone. Some of the other highlights of the first game for VU were another impressive three run inning at the top of the third inning. This scoring opportunity started off with a single that got Neufeld on base, then Sandoval shot a beauty of a ball into center field to put two people on base and Vega follow right behind him with a single of his own to load the bases. Eissamn received credit for the RBI off of his double that brought both Neufeld and Sandoval home.
"We had the momentum very quickly and took advantage it. We had good approaches at the plate and our whole lineup was feeling confident. We also took advantage of their mistakes while limiting ours," Sam Neufeld said.
Game Two: Vanguard 7, Biola 2
Rojas continued his great day with one of the Lions two home runs on the day. Tyler Steele (FR/Kingsburg, CA) started off the second game for the Blue and Gold. Biola could not keep up the Lions today as it was more of the same issues starting off in the first inning. The Lions got base with a couple of singles from both Sandoval and Paul Keating (SR/Oceanside, CA). Sandoval then scored on a Rojas Sac Fly RBI. Matt Harris (SR/Seaside, CA) blasted a homer in the fifth inning. The Lions overall have to be feel excited to shutout the first series against one of their biggest rivals.
Sandoval said, "This was an important series win because it gives us a good boost of confidence as we go into conference play next week and in the coming weeks. And to not only win the series but to sweep the series shows that we are a team to be taken very seriously in conference play."
Next up for the Blue and Gold is their fourth consecutive road game as they will be opening up GSAC competition against William Jessup on February 12th at 6 p.m.
-GOLD PRIDE-
