COSTA MESA, Calif. — The Lions (11-7,6-1 GSAC) returned from a disappointing road trip to square off against San Diego Christian (3-8,2-5 GSAC) and ended up victorious with a final score of 4-3. The scoring started off fast and had the lead set by the second inning as the Lions were able to hold off the Hawks. Brandon Sandoval (SR/Fallbrook, CA) held it down batting 4-4 and snatching five out in center field. Trai Patrick (SR/Everett, WA) kept up his hitting, going 2-4, and drove in a run in the process. 

The Hawks tried to run away with an early lead, gaining two runs in the first inning, but Vanguard's infield shut them down quickly courtesy of Dylan Ramie (SR/Ewa Beach, HI)'s glove at second base. In the bottom of the first, Patrick hit a double to right field that drove in Sandoval earning Vanguard's first run. The second inning saw Jacob Leal (JR/Grapevine, TX)'s first homerun of the season followed shortly by a sacrifice fly by Tanner Perry (JR/El Cajon, CA) to bring home Ramie.

The next few innings saw zeros posted by both teams until the Hawks tied it up in the fifth. Vanguard answered the run with a RBI single by Bryce Wetherell (JR/Chattaroy, WA) and the final score was posted at the end of the fifth. The final score might have been up, but the game remained in tension until the final out. In the top of the eight, there was danger for the Pride as the Hawks were able to get two runners on, but Jake Mellenthin (SR/New Plymouth, ID) (4) came out to close the game and left both runners on base to keep the Vanguard lead. 

Monty McCasland (SR/Bushland, TX) (2-1) started for the Lions was given the win after pitching seven innings and earning two strikeouts. Josh Bailly (JR/Union City. CA) came in for a few batters, picking up two strikeouts along the way, and then Mellenthin came out to finish off the Hawks. 

Next Game: Saturday, February 25th against San Diego Christian College at 11:00 a.m. (double-header)

-GOLD PRIDE-