SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Vanguard University (37-15-1) was eliminated from the 2016 GSAC Tournament by losing their second straight game this time by an 8-4 score against Menlo College (34-21) on Day Two of play at Russ Carr Field on the campus of Westmont College. The 13th ranked Lions fell behind early and were unable to generate the offense necessary to get back into the thick of the contest.
Early, the Oaks were able to snatch a 1-0 lead on a big home run from Lucas Erceg. He would end the day 3-4 at the plate to go along with three RBI's and four scored runs. Unable to close out the inning, Erceg once again hit a home run, this time a two run shot over the fence.
Facing a 3-0 deficit, Brock Eissman (JR/San Clemente, CA) tightened it up by hitting a blast of his own, closing the gap. Vanguard had no answer for the high powered offense of Menlo as they tallied three runs in the top of the seventh and added a pair during the next frame. The Pride continued fighting as Paul Keating (SR/Oceanside, CA) jacked a monstrous three run bomb to center field which brought Vanguard within four. After a walk to Jose Rojas (SR/Anaheim, CA), the game ended on a ground out to the shortstop.
Errors once again proved costly as they tallied three more than Menlo and were also outhit by a 9-6 count. The Oaks stranded 11 runners compared to nine for the Lions. At the plate, all of the hits were recorded by different players and all of the RBI's came off home runs.
Starting pitcher Chris Lumanlan (JR/Irvine, CA) (3-1) was awarded his first loss of the season after allowing four hits and three runs in 4.2 innings of work. The next four innings and change were pitched by Tyler Steele (FR/Kingsburg, CA), Michael Ostrea (SR/Buena Park, CA), Matt Silberman (SR/Murrieta, CA), and Michael Jordan (SR/Murrieta, CA).
In the previous three matchups, the Blue and Gold held a 2-1 edge in games won and now move to a season tie with the Oaks. Vanguard now awaits notice of which of the 10 Opening Round locations they will be assigned to for play in the 2016 National Tournament.
-GOLD PRIDE-
