COSTA MESA, Calif. – Riding high off a closely won victory the day before, the #20 Lions (8-4, 3-0) had their eyes on a series sweep over William Jessup (2-5, 0-3). The bats responded in the opening game throwing up an 11-2 count before coming up with timely base knocks in the nightcap to earn a 5-2 victory. Brock Eissman (SR/San Clemente, CA) was a monster on the field combining for 6-8 hitting and three runs score in addition to pitching the ninth inning of game one and punching three strikeouts.
Game One: Vanguard 11, William Jessup 2
The scoring started in the third period when Trai Patrick (SR/Everett, WA) came up to bat with runners on second and third base. Patrick drilled a double to center field scoring Brandon Sandoval (SR/Fallbrook, CA) and Bryce Wetherell (JR/Chattaroy, WA). After WJU tied it up in the top of the fifth inning, the flood gates really opened for the Blue and Gold. The team combined for five runs in the inning, highlighted by a two RBI double from Shane Elias-Calles (JR/Mission Viejo, CA), recorded with two outs punched in the frame. In their next trip to the plate, they tacked on three more runs, two of which came on Michael Fuchs (JR/Irvine, CA)' home run. The final score came in the eighth inning when Dylan Ramie (SR/Ewa Beach, HI) was hit by the pitch when the bases were loaded.
Patrick was 2-5 with three RBI in the first game and Eissman went a scorching 4-5. Chris Lumanlan (SR/Irvine, CA) (2-0) tossed five innings and allowed only five hits and two scores while striking out three. The final four innings were taken care of Josh Bailly (JR/Union City. CA), Michael Kashou (FR/Anaheim, CA), Akoni Arriaga (SR/Wailuku, HI), and Eissman.
Game Two: Vanguard 5, William Jessup 2
After a long front end of the double header, the teams moved head on into the series finale. Vanguard wasted no time as they put up the first score of the game in the bottom of inning one as Sandoval scored on a sacrifice fly from Patrick. The Lions pushed the lead even further as they tossed up three more tallies in their third trip to the plate for VU. Singles from Fuchs and Josh Weeks (FR/Murrieta, CA), both to center field, pushed all three runs across the plate in the frame. The Warriors closed the gap to 4-1 in the top of the fourth inning, but it was an unearned run. Vanguard struck again in the fifth inning. Jessup had just the top half of the inning to score four runs and, although they pressured Vanguard and did grab one run back, Jake Mellenthin (SR/New Plymouth, ID) came in for his third save of the year.
Starter Tyler Steele (SO/Kingsburg, CA) (3-0) tossed 6.1 innings, striking out a trio of Warriors. Kurt Gairing (JR/Corona, CA) grabbed one of the remaining outs and Mellenthin took care of the game sealing out. Eissman was 2-3 in the game and Fuchs was a perfect 3-3 on the contest. Vanguard was able to earn the victory despite committing three errors.
Next Game: Wednesday, February 15th against Corban at 2:30 p.m.
-GOLD PRIDE-
