COSTA MESA, Calif. - Following their triumph in the weekend series against Benedictine-Mesa, the 20th ranked Vanguard University Lions (4-1) tested their mettle against the Saint Katherine College Firebirds (2-2). After redeeming their narrow defeat in game one against Benedictine-Mesa with an 11-2 victory in game two, it was more of the same for the Lions who ran out with a 14-3 victory against the Firebirds. The third inning proved to be the Firebirds' undoing, with the Pride scoring an impressive seven runs to put the score at 8-0. Perhaps even more impressive, is the fact that the vast majority of these runs were recorded with two outs.
With the first inning of the game proving to be largely uneventful, Trai Patrick (SR/Everett, WA) got the first run on the board in the bottom of the second. Saint Katherine departed the top of the third inning with only one hit to their credit, before the Blue and Gold offensive onslaught would commence. It all started with Josh Weeks (FR/Murrieta, CA) getting walked, before the pressure of two outs pushed the Pride to their full potential. Patrick continued his contribution, hitting a single to right center field, allowing Weeks to run home and Tyler Perry to advance to third base. Six more runs and three more hits would be recorded before the scoring ceased.
It wouldn't be until the top of the fifth inning, that the Firebirds would finally get their first run on the board. Furthermore, it required something special, with a homer to right field proving to do the trick. However, three consecutive outs would bring the Lions back up to bat. In the bottom of the fifth, Jacob Leal (JR/Grapevine, TX) would be walked before Bryce Wetherell (JR/Chattaroy, WA) proceeded to steal second base. Two more runs would be recorded, putting the game at 10-1 going into the sixth inning.
The bottom of the eighth inning saw the Pride douse the Firebird flame once and for all. With four runs scored, Brock Eissman (SR/San Clemente, CA) got the honor of earning the 14th and final one. This final Blue and Gold run was realized when Wetherell singled to right field, earning two rbi's. Patrick led the team in runs, going 2-3, while Shane Elias-Calles (JR/Mission Viejo, CA) accounted for over half of the team's putouts with 16. Roberto Johnson (SR/San Marcos, CA) started on the mound and earned his first win of the year.
Next Game: Friday, February 3rd against Biola at 2:00 p.m.
-GOLD PRIDE-
