COSTA MESA, Calif. – Entering the final day of the regular season, 13th ranked Vanguard (38-13-1, 23-8) had much to celebrate as it was the final home game for 11 members of the Lions. Biola (28-25, 15-16) walked away with a 10-4 win in game one before the Blue and Gold won the second game and thus the series on a walk-off in the seventh inning.
Biola 10, Vanguard 4
Jumping right out of the gate, the Eagles blasted four runs to take a commanding lead. Then across the next five innings, things remained unchanged. After a nice blooper down the right field line in the fifth inning by Sam Carillo, Vanguard was poised to cut into the deficit, but the Biola right fielder threw a dart that allowed the catcher to tag Bryce Wetherell (SO/Chattaroy, WA) out before touching the plate.
Jose Rojas (SR/Anaheim, CA) came up to bat against the defensive shift, which left much of the left infield open. In the end it didn't matter as he knocked it right up the middle for a double. Rojas took advantage of a throwing error by center field to move towards third base and was then awarded a free base home due to the ball trickling into the dugout.
The Blue and Gold were able to score again in the seventh inning to bring the score to 4-2. Trai Patrick (JR/Everett, WA) then doubled to left center field and was brought home by Matt Harris (SR/Seaside, CA). Things began to get really interesting as the Pride tallied two more scored in the eighth inning to bring it within one run. Both runs were unearned due to a throwing error in the field.
Just as quickly as the Lions had closed the margin, the Eagles jacked it back up as they built a six run difference thanks to five runs scored in the top of the ninth inning. Even though Vanguard recorded two more hits and one less error, they could not capitalize.
Starter Ryan Heinle (SR/Stockton, CA) tossed the first six innings of the contest allowing five hits and just the four runs from the opening inning. Chris Lumanlan (JR/Irvine, CA) pitched the seventh and eighth innings in relief before Sheehan rounded out the final three batters.
At the plate, Rojas and Patrick were each 2-4 while Patrick added a run and RBI to his totals and Rojas scored two runs on the game. Kody Wright (SO/Bakersfield, CA) was a perfect 2-2 inside the batter's box and Carillo reached base safely in three of four trips to the plate.
Vanguard 4, Biola 3
In the second game, the Lions never trailed. Brandon Sandoval (JR/Fallbrook, CA) led off the bottom of the first inning with a triple and was brought home via a sacrifice fly from Paul Keating (SR/Oceanside, CA). During their next at bat, Biola would tie the contest for the first of two times in the game. The Blue and Gold scored two runs on Sandoval's single to center field.
Entering the seventh inning with a 3-2 lead, the Pride just needed three outs to end the regular season. BU scraped their way to a tie at three runs each, but it just allowed the final play at home for the 2016 campaign to be more dramatic. Sandoval was up to bat with two outs gone and a runner sitting on third base. As the pitches came in, he eventually sat on a 3-1 count which meant the next throw had to be right over the plate. It was and Sandoval knocked it to the outfield which scored the winning run in walk off fashion.
On the hill, Tyler Steele (FR/Kingsburg, CA) allowed two runs in five innings of command before Matt Silberman (SR/Murrieta, CA) came in for relief. After a quick three outs from him, the ball was turned over to Michael Jordan (SR/Murrieta, CA) for the save opportunity. In the end, Jordan earned his first win of the year instead. At the plate, Sandoval was on fire going 3-4 with three RBI's and a run.
Reflecting on the last game at home Keating said, "I'll remember the unique relationships that I've made with my teammates over the years here." He went on to comment on the final play of the game saying, "I knew if Sandy got a good pitch he wasn't going to miss it!"
The Pride will next take the field in the GSAC Tournament, which will be hosted at Westmont College from May 9th-12th. Game times and brackets will be released once all seeding has been determined.
-GOLD PRIDE-
