MONTGOMERY, Ala. – In the third and final matchup between #3 Faulkner (49-13) and #16 Vanguard (40-17-1), home runs were flying out of the park left, right, and center and the game ended with the 5-3 advantage leaning the way of the Eagles. Today's loss ends the Lions season onE win shy of a second straight trip to the NAIA Avista World Series. Faulkner was announced a few hours later that they would be the top seed in the 10-team bracket in Lewiston, Idaho.
"From the start we committed ourselves into becoming one and we did just that coming together as a team and giving our very best fight all season," Jose Rojas (SR/Anaheim, CA) stated. "As easy as it sounds it took a lot of heart, hard work, and dedication to make it possible. Endless hours spent together paid off once again for another successful and great year for Vanguard Baseball."
Pitching less than three days since starting Vanguard's first game at the Opening Round Regional, Sean Isaac (SR/Redondo Beach, CA) tossed seven innings in a gutsy performance for the ages. At first, FCU took advantage of a single through the gap between shortstop and the second baseman. The Blue and Gold then had a monster fourth inning as Jose Rojas jacked a two-run bomb and then one pitch later Trai Patrick (JR/Everett, WA) followed suit.
The Eagles would put up a three run inning of their own to take a 4-3 lead. VU was still within striking distance, but the final score of the game was another home run to deep center field to give Faulkner the added cushion it needed.
Brandon Sandoval (JR/Fallbrook, CA) and Patrick combined for half of the Lions eight hits, both doing so on 2-4 batting. Isaac (14-3) tossed 110 pitches after previously throwing a complete game on Tuesday afternoon.
Rojas went on to say, "Although we came up short of our ultimate goal in reaching the World Series and winning a championship we can at least say that the bar is set for many more great years to come."
Highlights of the year include reaching the 40 win plateau for the second time in program history, head coach Rob Pegg winning his 100th game for the Blue and Gold, Rojas being named GSAC Player of the Year, and Isaac being awarded conference Pitcher of the Year.
-GOLD PRIDE-
