SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The postseason run for the 13th ranked Lions (37-14-1) got off to a rocky start as they were defeated 8-0 by The Master's College (35-16) in both teams' opening game of the Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament hosted by Westmont College, played on Russ Carr Field. In the contest, Vanguard was outhit 15-5 as only four members of the Blue and Gold recorded a hit during the game.
The Master's College scored early and often as all of their runs were packaged in pairs during the third, fifth, eighth and ninth innings the Mustangs reached the scoreboard. Both team stranded 10 base runners and the Pride held a 2-1 disadvantage in recorded errors.
Vanguard's ace Sean Isaac (SR/Redondo Beach, CA) (13-2), the GSAC Pitcher of the Year, lost only his second game all year as he allowed three earned runs during seven innings on the mound. Christian Sheehan (JR/Redondo Beach, CA), Alex Camacho (SO/Stockton,CA), and Kurt Gairing (SO/Corona, CA) combined for the final two innings for the Lions. Conner Menez (10-2) threw eight scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and five walks.
At the plate, Brandon Sandoval (JR/Fallbrook, CA) reached in three of five trips to bat and was the only player for the Pride to record multiple hits. Trai Patrick (JR/Everett, WA), Sam Neufeld (FR/Indio, CA), and Brock Eissman (JR/San Clemente, CA) tallied the other knocks for the Blue and Gold.
The Lions have less than a day to regroup as the team will be back on the diamond tomorrow, May 10th, for a meeting with Menlo College (33-21). First pitch will take place at 9:00 a.m. with the loser of the contest being bounced from the conference tournament. This season, Vanguard took two of the three games in the series.
-GOLD PRIDE-
