COSTA MESA, Calif. – The two headed pitching monster of Sean Isaac (SR/Redondo Beach, CA) and Michael Jordan (SR/Murrieta, CA) hands the 13th ranked Lions a 4-1 victory over Bethesda University of California (23-16) in the opening game of a non-conference battle. Vanguard (28-9-1) wins their fifth outing in a row as Isaac picks up win #10 on the year and Jordan is awarded his 12th save this season. The first six innings of the game had the players and fans alike battling through rainy and wet conditions.
Vanguard wasted no time putting pressure on the Flames' defense as lead-off man Brandon Sandoval (JR/Fallbrook, CA) was on third base before the second batter put the ball in play. Matt Harris (SR/Seaside, CA) brought him home by bombing a two run shot into the left field fence, just a few feet inside the foul pole. This gave the Blue and Gold an advantage they would not lose.
Moving into the fifth inning with the same score, the Pride made up for not being up to score with the bases loading in the previous inning. With Jose Rojas (SR/Anaheim, CA) sitting on third base and Trai Patrick (JR/Everett, WA) on second after his double, Paul Keating (SR/Oceanside, CA) hit an RBI groundout to score the third run of the game. Sam Neufeld (FR/Indio, CA) singled to center field, which plated the final Lions' score.
Early in the eighth inning, the Flames scored their lone run, but Vanguard never wavered in their control of the game. As Isaac left the field after eight full innings and 10 strikeouts, he handed the ball off to Jordan with a save opportunity in hand.
"As a team when we're trying to secure a victory in the late innings, it's a great feeling when a guy like Mike can come in for us and shut the door," starting pitcher Isaac said. "He has great stuff and has been big for us all year."
After giving up one hit, Jordan righted the ship and the game ended on a double-play from third to first base. On the day, the Lions generated nine hits compared to Bethesda's seven and the Flames were awarded the only two errors in the game.
The two squads are scheduled to complete a double-header tomorrow, April 9th starting at 12:00 p.m. Vanguard is looking to push to the top of the conference and overall standings as the season moves into the final weeks.
-GOLD PRIDE-
