LINCOLN, Calif.- After leaving home on a high with their three-game sweep of Shepherd University, the Vanguard University Lions (27-16, 16-7) made the long trip up north to face the William Jessup University Warriors (8-28, 3-19). This arduous journey was not made in vain, with the Lions starting the series strong by winning games one and two. The Pride outscored the Warriors 13-7 on the day, holding them in good stead for game three.
Game One: Vanguard 8, William Jessup 4
The visiting Lions got the game off to a quick start with a run in the top of the first inning. However, the Warriors responded by tying the game in the bottom of the first and taking a one-run lead in the bottom of the second. Nevertheless, this quick start soon subsided, with neither side registering a single hit over the next three innings. This all changed when the Blue and Gold came to life with three runs in the top of the sixth inning. Brandon Sandoval (SR/Fallbrook, CA) scored his second run of the game following a fielding error, while Michael Fuchs (JR/Irvine, CA) and Trai Patrick (SR/Everett, WA) scored off of Fuchs's triple down the right field line. Although Fuchs scored due to a fielding error by first base, he still earned the two rbis. The scoring continued into the seventh inning, with William Jessup scoring two runs to Vanguard's one. This minor resurgence saw the Warriors trail the Lions by a single run, until three runs in the top of the eighth quelled their comeback. Josh Weeks (FR/Murrieta, CA), Brock Eissman (SR/San Clemente, CA), and Bryce Wetherell (JR/Chattaroy, WA) all scored unearned runs following a dropped fly by first base. Shane Elias-Calles (JR/Mission Viejo, CA) continued his fine fielding form with 15 putouts to his name. Two pitchers took the mound for the Pride, with Chris Lumanlan (SR/Irvine, CA) pitching the first 6.2 innings for the win. Christian Sheehan (SR/Redondo Beach, CA) pitched the final 2.1 innings without giving up a single hit.
Game Two: Vanguard 5, William Jessup 3
In identical fashion to game one, game two began with both sides scoring a run in the first inning. However, this time it was the Blue and Gold who took the lead with the third run of the game, until the Warriors wrestled the lead back with two runs in the bottom of the third. Nevertheless, those two runs would also be their last, with the Lions scoring a run in the top of the fourth, fifth, and seventh innings for the victory. Three different Lions scored in game two, with Sandoval scoring one, while Patrick and Tanner Perry (JR/El Cajon, CA) scored two. Three different pitchers took the mound for the Pride, with Tyler Steele (SO/Kingsburg, CA) starting and pitching the first 2.2 innings. Josh Bailly (JR/Union City. CA) pitched the next 2.1 innings for the win, before being replaced by Jake Mellenthin (SR/New Plymouth, ID) for the final two innings.
Next Game: Thursday, April 13th at William Jessup at 2:00 p.m.
-GOLD PRIDE-
