SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Vanguard Lions (20-15,12-6 GSAC) continued their weekend series against Westmont College (17-12,8-8 GSAC) with a double header and split the day with the Warriors. After a loss on Friday, Vanguard was hoping to pick up both wins, but only could take game one. The first game was won by the third inning as Brock Eissman (SR/San Clemente, CA) solidified the lead with a homerun that made it so Westmont couldn't come back. The final score of game one was 5-3. Unfortunately, game two was a different story as Westmont took the lead early and kept the Lions from scoring. Game two ended with a score of 6-1, Westmont.
Game One: Vanguard 5, Westmont 3
Brandon Sandoval (SR/Fallbrook, CA) started the first game off with a single to right field that got the Lions on a roll. With Sandoval on third, Trai Patrick (SR/Everett, WA) came up and hit a triple down the right field line to drive Sandoval home. Brock Eissman posted the second run with a sacrifice fly to left field that let Patrick score. The second inning zeros posted for both teams, but Eissman a 3 run homer, his fourth of the season, in the top of the third that brought the score to 5-1.
The Warriors pushed back and earned two more runs in seventh inning, but, in the end, the Lions were able to keep the Warriors down. Chris Lumanlan (SR/Irvine, CA) (6-1) earned the win in game one. Lumanlan went 6 innings with 8 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, and 7 strikeouts before the Lions sent in Josh Bailly (JR/Union City. CA). Bailly stayed in for four batters before turning it over to Christian Sheehan (SR/Redondo Beach, CA). Jake Mellenthin (SR/New Plymouth, ID) (8) finished out the game, earning the save. Mellenthin was on the mound for 2.1 innings and picked up 4 strikeouts.
Game Two: Westmont 6, Vanguard 1
While the Lions earned runs quickly in game one, game two was a different story. Westmont came off game two ready to score, and earned four runs before Vanguard could get on the board. In the fourth inning, Patrick earned the Lion's first and only run with a solo homerun to center field. Westmont answered with two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. The final score was 6-1.
Tyler Steele (SO/Kingsburg, CA) (6-2) started on the mound for game two and went 1.2 innings before handing the ball over to Michael Kashou (FR/Anaheim, CA). Kashou, Akoni Arriaga (SR/Wailuku, HI), and Bailly each took a couple batters before Sheehan closed out the game. Sheehan went 3 innings and picked up 4 strikeouts before the last out.
Next Game: Friday, March 31st against Arizona Christian at 3:00 p.m.
-GOLD PRIDE-
