PHOENIX, Ariz. – Vanguard, currently the 15th ranked team in the country, continued its winning ways as they finished the three game sweep of Arizona Christian (9-22, 6-18) by winning in 11-8 and 9-8 fashion. The Lions (26-9-1, 16-5) are staying neck and neck with conference leading Westmont as they now sit less than a game out of first place.
Head coach Rob Pegg proudly said, "Great team wins. Heinle and Steele gave us strong starts. Offensively, we answered every time they scored. Overall it was an extremely successful weekend."
Game One: Vanguard 11, Arizona Christian 8
The Blue and Gold struck first and soon built a dominant lead which they would never give up. During the second inning, they blasted four runs on the board. Just an inning later they would tack on another tally. With the bats blazing, Vanguard generated three more runs in the fourth inning and followed that up with a pair of scores in the sixth.
ACU continued fighting as they cut it to a 10-5 margin after eight frames of play. The Pride would pocket one more insurance run before the Firestorm had their final at bat. Although they scored three runs in the ninth inning, the Lions had built a solid lead to withstand the late rally.
Ryan Heinle (SR/Stockton, CA) (5-2) gave up no earned runs on eight hits during seven innings of action; He struck out seven of the 32 batters he faced. The final six outs of the game were delivered off the arms of four different relievers for VU.
A trio of hitters was on fire for the Lions in the opener. Trai Patrick (JR/Everett, WA) was 4-6 including an RBI and three scored runs. Paul Keating (SR/Oceanside, CA) ended with a stat line of 3-6 hitting with a run batted in and three scored on the base paths; Matt Harris (SR/Seaside, CA) had an impressive outing with 4-5 batting along with four RBI's and three scores. Overall the Lions tallied 18 hits.
Game Two: Vanguard 9, Arizona Christian 8
Once again, the Lions drew first blood and entered the bottom of the third inning holding a 2-0 lead. The Firestorm fired back and took a 3-2 advantage into the next period. Patrick tied the game on a solo shot to center field, but the Pride would score five more runs in the frame to blow the game wide open. ACU tightened it to only an 8-7 margin after six innings of play.
Tyler Steele (FR/Kingsburg, CA) (8-0) continued his unbeaten streak by allowing three earned off five hits in five innings on the hill. Vanguard then turned to their stud one-two punch out of the pen with Michael Ostrea (SR/Buena Park, CA) setting it up for Michael Jordan (SR/Murrieta, CA) to get his 11th save on the season. Inside the box, the offense was once again highlighted by impressive outings from Patrick, Harris, and Keating.
Vanguard will pause from conference competition on Tuesday, April 5th when they square off with Marymount California (12-17-1) starting at 2:30 p.m. In the four previous games the squads have played, the Lions hold a 3-0-1 record.
-GOLD PRIDE-
