COSTA MESA, Calif. – In a very important weekend series, #18 Vanguard Lions (20-6-1, 10-3) fought back on a go-ahead homerun by Jose Rojas (SR/Anaheim, CA) to capture the 3-2 victory. No. 25 Menlo falls to (21-9, 8-5) as the two schools are sitting in second and third place, respectively, in the conference standings.
"Whether we are up or down, we must compete for nine innings and find a way to be victorious like we did today," Rojas cheerfully stated.
Prior to Rojas' eight inning two-run shot, the theme of the game was stellar pitching. Sean Isaac (SR/Redondo Beach, CA) struck out 10 batters in eighth innings of work and allowing only one earned run. His counterpart, Kuhaulua threw over 100 pitches en route to seven hits and eight strikeouts. GSAC leader Michael Jordan (SR/Murrieta, CA) tallied his seventh save of the year for throwing the final three outs. At the plate, Keating was 2-2 and Rojas was 2-3 including two RBI's.
Isaac detailed, "Anytime we have the opportunity to compete against a high caliber team and pitcher, it presents us with a great challenge. Today, we answered and came away with a great team win. It really gives a gauge of where we are as a team and what we need to do to improve going forward."
Menlo struck first in the top of the third inning and the score remained unchanged until the bottom of the fourth frame. Sam Neufeld (FR/Indio, CA) reached on a fielder's choice which plated Rojas. Moving ahead in the eighth inning, Menlo grabbed a 2-1 advantage on a run scored off a throwing error.
Tomorrow, the two teams are right back at the VU Baseball Field to complete the three-game slate. For the Lions, Ryan Heinle (SR/Stockton, CA) (Game Two) and Tyler Steele (FR/Kingsburg, CA) (Game Three) are scheduled to take the hill as the starters. The action commences at 11:00 a.m.
-GOLD PRIDE-
