FREMONT, Calif. - Returning to conference competition following their three-game sweep of Morningside College, the 16th ranked Vanguard University Lions (19-10, 11-2) traveled north to face the sixth ranked Menlo College Oaks (20-5, 9-2). As well as being a match between two ranked teams, this was also a game between the top two teams in the conference, making this a very enticing encounter. After eight and a half innings, the Oaks won 6-3, giving them the advantage in this three-game series.

Although the game remained scoreless after the first inning, the Lions scored the first run in the top of the second. Trai Patrick (SR/Everett, WA) went up to bat first and homered to left field, marking a strong start for the Pride. However, the Oaks immediately responded in the bottom of the second, with a homer of their own. Despite this impressive display from both sides, the next three innings would see very little action, with just two hits altogether. The Oaks would finally take the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, with two runs to make it a 3-1 game. However, the Lions tied the game up with two runs of their own in the top of the seventh. With Brandon Sandoval (SR/Fallbrook, CA) and Josh Weeks (FR/Murrieta, CA) on base, Tanner Perry (JR/El Cajon, CA) stepped up to bat and singled to left field. Sandoval advanced to third and scored on an error from left field, while Weeks advanced from third to home plate. Unfortunately, this was all the Blue and Gold had left, as the Oaks scored another three runs in the bottom of the eighth for the win. Monty McCasland (SR/Bushland, TX) started on the mound and pitched 5.1 innings, before being replaced by Josh Bailly (JR/Union City. CA). Bailly pitched 1.1 innings, with Brock Eissman (SR/San Clemente, CA) pitching the final 1.1 innings.

Next Game: Saturday, March 18th at Menlo College at 11:00 a.m.

-GOLD PRIDE-