COSTA MESA, Calif. — The Vanguard Lions (22-16,14-7 GSAC) took the field on a beautiful sunny day to finish out the weekend series against the Arizona Christian Firestorm (20-17,11-12 GSAC). After winning Friday's game off a grand slam from Brandon Sandoval (SR/Fallbrook, CA), the #21 Lions were looking for a sweep. The end result was not the desired one however as the Lions split the double header with the Firestorm. In game one, both teams were hitting well. Arizona had 15 hits to Vanguard's 13, but it was the Lions who came out on top. Game one had a final score of 14-8 in Vanguard's favor. Vanguard seemed to keep the trend up in game two as they took the lead early, but it was the Firestorm who ended taking the second game with a final score of 5-3.
Game One: Vanguard 14, Arizona Christian 8
The Firestorm took the lead early with two runs posted in the first inning, but Vanguard wouldn't back down. Vanguard took the lead in the bottom of the third and wouldn't give that lead up for the rest of the nine innings. Sandoval got things started in the bottom of the third with a single through the left side that brought in Josh Weeks (FR/Murrieta, CA). Shane Elias-Calles (JR/Mission Viejo, CA) added a run with a double to right field to bring in Bryce Wetherell (JR/Chattaroy, WA). Two more were tacked on by Brock Eissman (SR/San Clemente, CA) as he hit a triple to center field that brought in Elias-Calles and Sandoval. By the end of the third inning, Vanguard was up 4-2.
The fourth inning showed as similar result to the third as Vanguard added four more runs. With runners on first and second, Sandoval hit a single through the left side that allowed Weeks to score. Brock Eissman added three more as he came up with bases loaded and hit a 3 RBI double through the right side. In four innings, Vanguard was up 8-2. Arizona Christian had a good inning in the top of the fifth, adding four runs, but Vanguard kept their offense up. In the bottom of the fifth, Bryce Wetherell hit a single to left field and Tanner Perry (JR/El Cajon, CA) scored on the throw. With Wetherell on third, Weeks hit a single to right field that let Wetherell score and brought Vanguard's lead up to 10-6.
The Firestorm added a run in the top of the seventh, but the Lions added four more in the eighth. After two walks and a runner hit by a pitch, Eissman hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Sandoval. Tanner Perry added two more with a single to left field and then Michael Fuchs (JR/Irvine, CA) earned the last run for Vanguard on a wild pitch. Arizona Christian posted one in the top of the ninth, but it wasn't enough Vanguard won, 14-8.
The Lions had Chris Lumanlan (SR/Irvine, CA) on the mound to start. Lumanlan went for four innings giving up 4 hits, 6 runs, 1 walk, and earning 3 strikeouts before Christian Sheehan (SR/Redondo Beach, CA) came in for 1.1 innings. Sheehan earned a strikeout of his own before handing the ball to Josh Bailly (JR/Union City. CA). Bailly earned the win with 2.1 innings, 4 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts. Jake Mellenthin (SR/New Plymouth, ID) came in for one batter, earning the out with a single pitch, and Tyler Skinner (JR/Dos Palos, CA) came in to close it out.
Game Two: Arizona Christian 5, Vanguard 3
The Lions kept the momentum from game one for the first two innings as Brandon Sandoval (2-2), Michael Fuchs (2-4), and Tanner Perry (2-3) each added to Vanguard's 7 hits. The momentum wouldn't be able to overcome the Firestorm. In the first inning, Elias-Calles posted the first run with a grounder that brought in Sandoval. Then, in the bottom of the second, Sandoval hit a single up the middle that brought in Weeks. Fuchs singled through the right side to bring in Wehterell and give Vanguard a 3-1 lead. That score would hold until the seventh inning. In the top of the seventh, Arizona Christian posted four runs to take the lead. After seven innings, the final score was 5-3, Arizona Christian.
Despite the score, Vanguard held strong until the last inning. Tyler Steele (SO/Kingsburg, CA) started on the mound in game two and went 4.1 innings. Before handing if off, Steele gave up 4 hits, 1 run, 4 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Jake Mellenthin (1-2) came in the fifth inning. Mellenthin went 2 innings giving up 0 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, and taking 1 strikeout. Brock Eissman came in to close out the game. Eissman gave up 1 hit and earned 1 strikeout in his 0.2 innings.
Next Game: Friday, April 7th against Shepherd University at 3:00 p.m.
-GOLD PRIDE-
