PLACENTIA, Calif. – Getting back into conference play, the Lions (14-5-1, 7-3) started off the weekend series against Hope International with a 6-2 victory behind three home runs and a strong pitching performance by Sean Isaac (SR/Redondo Beach, CA) and Michael Ostrea (SR/Buena Park, CA).
"Sean had a great performance and set us off right. It was a pitcher's duel in the beginning before our bats came alive," Head Coach Rob Pegg stated.
The game opened up with no scored tallied in the first three full innings of action. Vanguard scored two in the top of the fourth behind a bomb from Jose Rojas (SR/Anaheim, CA). He was 3-3 including two RBI and a walk on the day. Then, in the bottom of the sixth inning Hope International tied the game at two runs apiece.
However, the Pride was not fazed as they scored four unanswered to seal the contest. In the seventh inning, Sam Neufeld (FR/Indio, CA) hit a solo shot to left field to put the Lions on top for good. Trai Patrick (JR/Everett, WA) wanted in on the long ball action as he hit a two run shot in the next inning to build to the margin for the Blue and Gold.
"Our team came out with a quiet confidence today, we didn't press offensively and had timely hitting throughout the game, in particular Jose, Sam, and Trai," Isaac remarked. He went on to say, "Defensively the guys gave solid support to myself and Michael. We executed pitches and had a solid first game to the series. Hopefully we can finish it out with two more tomorrow."
Tomorrow, March 5th starting at 11:00 a.m. the two teams will finish the conference series with Ryan Heinle (SR/Stockton, CA) and Tyle Steele scheduled to take the mound for games two and three.
-GOLD PRIDE-
