COSTA MESA, Calif. – For the first time in 12 outings, the #9 Lions ended up on the losing side of the result. Antelope Valley (34-13) rallied in the ninth inning to win 8-6 over Vanguard (34-10-1) as the Pioneers scored five unanswered runs.
The Blue and Gold rode a solid third inning to a 5-0 advantage which they held until UAV trimmed it to 5-2 after the fifth inning. The Lions scored what many people in attendance thought was the game sealing run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Antelope Valley was able to plate a run off reliever Matt Silberman in the eighth inning bringing it to a 6-3 score. Then, as many people expected the Pride to close out the game in quick fashion the Pioneers did not go down without a fight. They took advantage of two straight errors to extend the game and ultimately capture the victory. The dramatic swing of momentum was not something the Lions could contend with in the bottom of the final inning.
Chris Lumanlan (JR/Irvine, CA) gave great effort as the starting pitcher allowing only five hits and two scored runs, exiting the game with a strong lead. Michael Jordan (SR/Murrieta, CA) is given his first loss on the season as five runs were scored during his portion of the inning, all of which were unearned. At the plate, Jose Rojas (SR/Anaheim, CA) tallied three RBI's, a drawn walk, and a scored run while the duo of Brandon Sandoval (JR/Fallbrook, CA) and Paul Keating (SR/Oceanside, CA) were both 2-4 on the game with an RBI and score each.
Vanguard will aim to quickly rebound from the disappoint loss as they have a big weekend meeting with The Master's College (29-14, 14-10) with only six conference games left in the schedule. Earlier this season the Mustangs (RV) took two of three games over the Blue and Gold. The action starts on Friday, April 22nd at 3:00 p.m. in Santa Clarita.
-GOLD PRIDE-
